OKC’s NBA Finals rematch against the Pacers marred by an injury list

The Oklahoma City Thunder into Thursday night’s rematch of the NBA Finals against Indiana Pacers difficult shorthand, s multiple rotation players are excluded how is the 2025-26 season.

Fresh a A 125-124 double overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday to wrap up their championship ring ceremony, the defending NBA champions released a comprehensive injury report that leaves their roster in constant flux for their first road test.

According to the last update, keep it Alec Caruso remains in the concussion protocol, Lugence Dort is out with a sprained left ankle and Isaiah Joe will sit with a left knee contusion. The Thunder are also still without key contributors Jalen WilliamsThomas Sorber, Kenrich Williams and Nikola Topic — all recovering from offseason surgeries. Third year guard Cason Wallace is listed as questionable with a sprained left knee.

Williams, who underwent surgery on his right wrist, remains weeks away from returning. Sorber is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the offseason, while Kenrich Williams continues to rehabilitate from left knee surgery. Topic also returns for the procedure earlier in the summer.

The Thunder face mounting injuries ahead of the rematch of the NBA Finals against the Pacers

Despite mounting injuries, several Thunder players made significant contributions to Tuesday’s win. Wallace finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals while shooting 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-8 from three-point range in 42 minutes. Caruso added 10 points, three assists, two steals and one block, while Dort had six points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal despite struggling with his shooting, going 2-for-12 from the field and 0-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma City’s win came behind the efforts of 2025 NBA MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and center Chet Holmgren, who helped the team survive late Houston rallies in what became a grueling double-overtime opener. Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 35 pointsfive rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks while shooting 12-for-26 from the field and 10-for-14 from the free throw line over 47 minutes with a plus/minus of +3. Holmgren added 28 points, seven rebounds and two assists while shooting 11-for-17 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line over 39 minutes.

However, with such a depleted roster, head coach Mark Daigno faces limited options as the team travels to Indianapolis.

The Pacers enter the season opener without Tyrese Halliburton and key parts of the rotation

Meanwhile, the Pacers will also be without key players as they prepare to open the season at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Guard Tyrese Haliburton continues his recovery from a torn Achilles he was killed in game 7 of the final last season. In addition, Indiana ruled out Quenton Jackson with a right hamstring strain, Cam Jones with a lower back stress reaction, and TJ McConnell with straining of the left hamstring.

Haliburton’s absence remains the most significant blow for Indiana, which enters the season aiming to build on last year’s finals appearance. His leadership in the backcourt and ability to set the pace were instrumental in leading the Pacers to their first Finals appearance in nearly two decades.

Thursday’s game provides both teams with an early test of depth and resilience. For Oklahoma City, keeping pace without several defensive anchors will be key, while Indiana must find ways to build offense without its All-Star point guard.

The Thunder will visit the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with national coverage on ESPN.