The Thunder’s injury list is still doing plenty of the talking heading into tonight’s matchup with the LA Clippers, but there is at least one encouraging note: Nikola Topic is available.
OKC is trying to snap out of a rough stretch after back-to-back losses to the Portland Trail Blazers, a pair of games that exposed just how thin the roster has become. Portland took the first meeting by 20, riding a huge third quarter from Damian Lillard, then finished the sweep by being sharper late in Game 2. The Thunder now turn to a Clippers team that sits at 2-8.
The biggest question mark for Oklahoma City is Ajay Mitchell, who is questionable after spraining his ankle in the first game against Portland. Mitchell has been the team’s second-leading scorer since the earlier injuries hit.
The Thunder are still missing three starters in Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams. Wallace and Williams both had surgery, and their return this season is uncertain. Holmgren, who was hurt against LA in the teams’ first meeting of the season, is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.
Oklahoma City is also without Jaylin Williams, who is dealing with back spasms, and Thomas Sorber, who has not yet made his Thunder debut because of a major knee injury.
On the Clippers’ side, Yanic Konan Niederhauser is out after right lisfranc surgery.
Topic’s return gives the Thunder a little more depth as they try to manage this injury-heavy stretch. He has been back with the OKC Blue over the last week, and now he’s cleared for the Thunder as well. There’s no indication he’ll be asked to play heavy minutes right away, but simply having another available body matters for a team that has been battered by injuries.
The Thunder and Clippers tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT from LA.
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