Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans: preview and player stats (Dec 23, 2026)

Injury/Illness - Right Knee/ Injury Recovery (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-10-31): Holmgren underwent a biological treatment Friday to address a small patellar tendon tear and will miss at least 8-10 weeks, Nick Crain of Slam reports. This is another massive blow to an Oklahoma City squad that's already set to be without Jalen Williams (leg) and Cason Wallace (shoulder) for most, if not all, of the season. With Holmgren sidelined, Kenrich Williams, Jaylin Williams and Aday Mara are all candidates to see increased playing time. Two-way player Brooks Barnhizer could also see more minutes.

Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Sprain (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-11-15): Mitchell (ankle) is questionable to suit up for Sunday's game against the Kings. Mitchell has missed OKC's previous two contests due to a sprained left ankle, and he's now in jeopardy of sitting out a third straight. If Mitchell remains sidelined, Jared McCain will continue to start for the 8-5 Thunder.

Injury/Illness - Left Ankle Surgery (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-10-28): Williams (leg) underwent successful surgery Wednesday to "address a fractured left fibula and reconstruction of ankle ligaments following a fracture and dislocation." He will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports. Williams suffered the injury during Sunday's meeting with the Clippers and was taken off the court on a stretcher. It's unknown when the 25-year-old will be cleared to return, though the Thunder will presumably be overly cautious moving forward. Williams, who signed a five-year extension in July of 2025, has had a productive career, averaging 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals over 30.9 minutes per contest. However, after playing at least 69 regular-season games in his first three years in the league, he has appeared in just 36 in the last two seasons combined. With the Thunder having one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, the team may look for more minutes from Jared McCain, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams for the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign.

Injury/Illness - Left Shoulder Surgery (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-10-31): Wallace underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports. Wallace is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season. However, there's still a chance he will return late in the campaign after sustaining the shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Clippers. With Jalen Williams (leg) also set to be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season, Alex Caruso (ankle) should see significant playing time once cleared to return. In the meantime, Jared McCain, Bennett Stirtz and Josh Dix are expected to see increased burn.

Injury/Illness - Low Back Spasms (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-11-15): Williams (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings. Williams will miss a sixth straight contest due to lower-back spasms and is still without a timetable to return. Isaiah Hartenstein, Kenrich Williams and rookie Aday Mara will continue holding down the frontcourt for as long as Williams is sidelined.

Injury/Illness - Right Knee Surgery (2026-11-15, OKC@SAC). Prior reporting (2026-11-13): Sorber (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Clippers. Sorber is still recovering from knee surgery and remains without a timetable to return. He can be considered week-to-week until the Thunder offer an update on his status.

Murphy (knees) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets. Murphy will miss a fourth straight game as he continues to battle bilateral patellar tendinopathy. His next opportunity to return to the court will come Monday against the Warriors. Saddiq Bey should continue to work in an elevated role in the meantime.

Murray (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Memphis. This was the expectation after the star guard requested a trade from the Pelicans earlier Friday. Given his standing with the club, Murray can be tentatively considered doubtful for future contests while New Orleans tries to find him another home.

McGowens (elbow) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets. McGowens will miss his second game in as many days while continuing to deal with a left elbow infection. He'll have another chance to return to action Monday against the Warriors.

Mathurin is out for Saturday's game against the Nuggets due to left plantar fasciitis. Mathurin will miss a second game of the Pelicans' last three, leaving New Orleans without a key second-unit scorer. Mathurin is averaging 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 15.3 minutes per game so far. His next chance to suit up will come Monday at home against the Warriors.

Watford (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Denver. Watford will miss a fourth consecutive game Saturday due to a right ankle sprain, and it remains unknown how far away he is from returning.