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Oklahoma City Thunder: perfect 4-0 start overshadowed by Jalen Williams injury — Northwest Division roundup
The Oklahoma City Thunder move to 4-0 with a win over Phoenix but lose Jalen Williams indefinitely, while Minnesota drops a 127-125 heartbreaker in Cleveland.
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The Northwest Division picture shifted quickly. The Oklahoma City Thunder stayed perfect and delivered the night’s headline result, but Jalen Williams’ serious injury is the story that hangs over their hot start.
Thunder: 4-0 start, but Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace sidelined
With a 125-114 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday, the Oklahoma City Thunder became, according to Hoops Rumors, the first NBA team to open this season 4-0, before being joined later in the night by Houston and Memphis. At 4-0, Oklahoma City sits atop the Northwest Division and continues to validate its strong opening stretch.
That win comes on the heels of a major setback. Hoops Rumors reports that Jalen Williams fractured his fibula and dislocated his left ankle and will undergo surgery, as head of basketball operations Sam Presti explained at a press conference relayed by The Oklahoman. The outlet adds that Williams, along with Cason Wallace, is now out indefinitely.
CBS Sports notes that Williams had to be stretchered off the floor Sunday night and argues that Oklahoma City’s season will not be the same without him, adding that trading for a replacement would be a complicated task for the Thunder.
Hoops Rumors also points to a busy day in Oklahoma City on the roster front, mentioning injuries and situations involving players such as Caruso, Holmgren, Stirtz and K. Williams, underlining how crowded the early-season to‑do list already is for the Thunder front office.
Timberwolves: narrow loss in Cleveland and LaMelo’s home debut
The Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1) dropped a tight one in Cleveland, falling 127-125. Even with the loss, they currently sit on top of the Northwest Division standings.
As Hoops Rumors recalls, Minnesota fans finally got their first look at LaMelo Ball in a home game on Sunday. The guard was hampered by foul trouble early, playing just five minutes in the first half and then picking up his fourth foul 30 seconds into the second half. Despite the rough start, the outlet notes that he still managed to put on the kind of show Wolves fans had been waiting for once he was able to stay on the floor.
Nuggets, Jazz, Trail Blazers: quiet day in the table
The Denver Nuggets (1-2), Portland Trail Blazers (2-0) and Utah Jazz (1-3) were all idle on Monday. Hoops Rumors references those three teams in a Northwest-focused column that also touches on Rudy Gobert, but the available summary doesn’t reveal further specifics. For now, Portland remains unbeaten, Denver is still searching for rhythm, and Utah is trying to get moving after a slower start.