The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without two of their key players, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, for the decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The game is scheduled for Saturday night, and the absence of these players could significantly impact the Thunder’s performance.

Jalen Williams has been struggling with a strained left hamstring throughout much of the playoffs. This injury has caused him to miss a substantial portion of the season, including 49 of the Thunder’s 82 regular-season games due to wrist and hamstring issues. Williams has also missed nine playoff games this year and will miss his tenth on Saturday. He managed to play about 10 minutes in the Thunder’s Game 6 loss to the Spurs.

Ajay Mitchell, who had been stepping in for Williams, is also out with a strained right soleus. His injury has forced the Thunder to adjust their lineup, with Jared McCain taking over Mitchell’s starting spot alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren. For Game 7, the Thunder will start Cason Wallace, with McCain coming off the bench.

In contrast, the San Antonio Spurs have reported no injuries as they prepare for this crucial game. The NBA has selected Marc Davis, John Goble, and Josh Tiven as the referees for Game 7. Both Davis and Tiven have previous experience officiating Game 7s in this year’s playoffs.

Impact on the Series

The Thunder’s injuries could play a pivotal role in the outcome of the series. The Spurs, entering the game with a full roster, have a potential advantage. The Thunder will need to rely heavily on their remaining starters and bench players to fill the gaps left by Williams and Mitchell.

As the series reaches its climax, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Thunder will adapt to these challenges and whether they can overcome the odds to secure a victory against the Spurs.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.