Thunder face injury crisis as Mitchell ruled out for pivotal Game 6
Guard Ajay Mitchell misses third straight game with soleus strain, while Jalen Williams remains questionable ahead of Western Conference finals showdown.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s path to the NBA Finals faces a significant hurdle as guard Ajay Mitchell has been ruled out for Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The injury update, confirmed on Wednesday, marks the third consecutive game Mitchell will miss due to a right soleus strain.
Mitchell’s absence compounds the Thunder’s roster challenges as they prepare for Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. CT contest in San Antonio. The reigning champions currently hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series and require a single victory to advance. However, the team must navigate these absences against a Spurs side that enters the match at full strength with a clean injury report.
Compounding the situation, fellow guard Jalen Williams is listed as questionable due to left hamstring strain injury management. This status places Williams in danger of missing a fourth straight game, further testing the depth of OKC’s backcourt rotation. The uncertainty surrounding Williams’ availability adds a layer of strategic complexity for the Thunder’s coaching staff ahead of the critical home-side matchup.
The Thunder’s recent performance in Game 5 provided a boost, with Jared McCain moving into the starting lineup and scoring 20 points in his first playoff start to help secure a 127-114 victory. However, the aftermath of that game has introduced additional friction, with McCain alleging that Spurs players threatened him following hard fouls in the final minutes. These allegations, while separate from the medical updates, highlight the heightened tensions surrounding the series.
Other roster notes indicate that Thomas Sorber remains out following right ACL surgical recovery. As the Spurs look to keep their season alive on their home floor, the Thunder must rely on their remaining healthy personnel to close out the series. The outcome of Game 6 will determine whether OKC returns to the NBA Finals or if San Antonio forces a decisive Game 7.
