Injuries Are Shaping the West - and the Spurs Might Be in Prime Position
The Oklahoma City Thunder are banged up, and that’s putting it lightly. Their roster, which looked like a legitimate title contender heading into the season, is now leaning heavily on the hope that their core can get healthy in time for a deep postseason run. But that’s a big “if.”
One of their most important pieces - and arguably the biggest X-factor in their playoff hopes - has already missed 30 games this season. And when you’re dealing with soft tissue injuries, history tells us that those don’t just magically go away.
In the NBA (and the NFL, for that matter), when a player enters the season behind the curve physically, it’s often a recurring theme. The body doesn’t get the recovery time it needs unless there’s a long layoff.
That’s not what the postseason offers.
If that trend holds true, OKC could be in trouble. This isn’t the same team without their versatile wing - not even close.
And if he’s not fully healthy, the Thunder’s ceiling takes a serious hit. That opens up the Western Conference in a big way.
Why Jalen Williams Matters So Much
Let’s talk about Jalen Williams - or “J-Dub,” as he’s known to Thunder fans. His impact goes beyond the box score, but even the numbers make a strong case: he averaged 21 points per game in the playoffs last year, and that was without consistently having his best stuff. He’s the secondary ball-handler behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and that role is critical in OKC’s offense.
Having multiple creators who can initiate offense, collapse the defense, and make smart reads is what separates good teams from great ones. Williams gives the Thunder that second punch. And while he and SGA share some stylistic similarities, their subtle differences - pace, decision-making, how they attack mismatches - make them a nightmare to defend together.
Then there’s the defense. Williams earned All-Defensive Team honors last season for a reason.
He’s long, switchable, and has the instincts to blow up plays before they develop. You take that away from OKC, and you’re not just losing a scorer - you’re losing a two-way cornerstone.
It’s hard to see a championship path for the Thunder without him at or near 100%.
Denver’s Dealing With Its Own Health Concerns
OKC isn’t the only contender walking the injury tightrope. The defending champs in Denver are facing a similar situation with Aaron Gordon. He’s been in and out of the lineup all year, and while Nikola Jokić is still the engine of that team, Gordon is the guy who brings balance - especially on defense and in transition.
Much like the Thunder with Williams, the Nuggets can’t afford to lose Gordon when the games really start to matter. His versatility, physicality, and ability to guard multiple positions are irreplaceable. If he’s not right, Denver’s repeat hopes take a hit.
The Spurs Are Lurking - and Getting Healthy at the Right Time
All of this could work in the San Antonio Spurs’ favor. Yes, they’ve had their own share of injury setbacks this season, but lately, they’ve been trending in the right direction. Victor Wembanyama and the core group have mostly stayed healthy over the past month, and that’s no small thing.
If that continues, the Spurs could be peaking at just the right time. And in a Western Conference where the top teams are dealing with key injuries, that matters. A healthy Spurs squad - built around a generational talent in Wembanyama and a deep, balanced supporting cast - has the tools to make a serious run.
Let’s not forget: this league has been wide open for years now. No repeat champions since the Warriors in 2017-18.
Parity is the name of the game, and health often becomes the great equalizer. The Spurs, if they can stay on the right side of the injury report, could find themselves in the thick of the title conversation.
And if they can pull it off? That’d be their first championship since 2014 - and a reminder that in the NBA, timing and health are everything.