Thunder Carry 58.5 Win Total Into Dallas After Injury Cluster

NBA betting markets repriced the Oklahoma City Thunder this week after a run of injuries left the club thin ahead of Wednesday night's matchup in Dallas.

The timeline starts with Sunday's game against the Clippers, when forward Jalen Williams, 25, was stretchered off. General manager Sam Presti said Williams has a fractured fibula and a dislocated left ankle. Oklahoma City has issued no firm return date, and the absence is expected to last months, potentially through the rest of the season. Williams played 33 regular-season games last year and sat out 10 of the team's 15 playoff contests.

Guard Cason Wallace, who signed a five-year, $139 million extension, hurt his left shoulder against the Clippers with a torn labrum, and his availability for this season is in question. He earned first-team All-Defensive honors last season and entered the starting lineup after Lu Dort was dealt to Atlanta. Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins were also shipped out during the offseason in salary-dump moves.

Monday's win over Phoenix added to the report. Guard Alex Caruso exited with a right ankle sprain and will not play Wednesday. Chet Holmgren will miss a second straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. Ajay Mitchell, who scored a career-high 30 points Monday and averages 16.0, is listed as iffy with an ankle issue. Jared McCain and rookie Bennett Stirtz are in line for expanded minutes, and two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the focal point.

The injuries moved the numbers. Oklahoma City's odds to win the Western Conference shifted from roughly +160 to +200, placing the club behind San Antonio at +165. Championship pricing went from +300 to +360, and the regular-season win total fell from 61.5 to 58.5. For Wednesday's game, the Thunder are 6.5-point favorites with a total of 229.5, and about 73% of bets and 65% of the money are on Oklahoma City.

Dallas enters the matchup at 2-2 after alternating results, with both wins on the road at Indiana and Miami. The Mavericks' latest outing was a 113-109 victory over the Heat on Monday. Cooper Flagg, who missed Saturday's game with a sore shoulder, returned for 29 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocks. Kyrie Irving added 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Walter Clayton, who signed a two-way contract last week after Memphis waived him, posted 15 points, four assists and four steals in 17 minutes, and Dallas was plus-22 with him on the floor.

First-year coach Dusty May has built the roster around Flagg, Irving, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. Rookie guard Sergio De Larrea is out with a knee injury. Irving is questionable with a knee issue, as are forwards Naji Marshall, who averages 13.7 points, and Caleb Martin, who has yet to debut this season.

Oklahoma City swept the series 3-0 last season by an average margin of about 13 points, though Dallas covered the spread in two of those meetings. A SportsLine model projects a 118-115 Thunder win. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET Wednesday as the second half of an ESPN doubleheader.

Jalen Williams played 33 regular-season games last year.