The Western Conference finals are midway through, and the stakes couldnât be any higher for the Oklahoma City and San Antonio Spurs ahead of Game 4 on Sunday.
As fresh injury concerns rise for both teams, the Thunder have been dealt their fair share as second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has been officially ruled out of the game due to a right soleus strain.
Mitchell sustained his injury in Game 3 as he exited in the third quarter. He played only 17 minutes and didnât have much impact in that period.
Ajay Mitchellâs SetbackÂ
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 20: Jordan McLaughlin #0 of the San Antonio Spurs drives around Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter in Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 20, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Mitchell has been one of OKCâs standout performers this postseason. The Belgian superstar has started in seven out of 11 playoff games for the Thunder having filled the role of Jalen Williams who is also battling with an injury.
Mitchell has provided scoring, playmaking, and energy to the team and Williamsâ absence hasnât been felt. He is averaging 15.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists so far in the playoffs. He has been the Thunderâs best performer behind Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Chet Holmgren.
With no timeline confirmed, the hope is that Mitchell will be healthy in time to still contribute and help the Thunder in this series. However, as with all muscle-related injuries, OKC will tread carefully to avoid re-injury.
They did that with Williams by keeping him off the second round even when it looked like he could play some part of the series.
A Major Test for OKCâs DepthÂ
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 23: Jared McCain #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a three-pointer during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 23, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Mitchell has helped mask some of OKCâs absences, but losing him for Game 4 forces coach Mark Daigneault to reshuffle rotations. Younger players like Cason Wallace, Jared McCain and others will likely see increased roles to maintain the Thunderâs aggressive pace and defensive intensity.
Oklahoma City has had better depth than the Spurs, which is why its bench has been a key driving force in this series.
In Game 3, the Thunderâs bench exploded for a playoff-record 76 points. Without Mitchell and possibly Williams, some of the role players will be thrown into a starting role which may disrupt their bench rhythm.
Williams is questionable for Game 4 as he is still recovering from a hamstring strain. He picked up the injury in Game 2 of the first round and missed the entire series as well as the entire second round. He returned for the conference finals but missed Game 3. He has been day-to-day after re-aggravating his hamstring.Â
OKC will be disadvantaged injury-wise as San Antonio is now in the clear following rookie guard Dylan Harper and veteran guard DeAaron Fox availability in Game 3. The duo had been a doubt for the game but Fox played 31 minutes while Harper played 17 as his scare was more serious.Â
OKC has only lost once in the playoffs so far and that run will be threatened with the latest injury update. Its defensive setup has been key to turning this series around.
After allowing Victor Wembanyama to score 41 points in Game 1, he was reduced to 21 and 26 points in Games 2 and 3.
Game 4 tips off tonight at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. A win for OKC will leave it one more win away from back-to-back Finals appearances.Â
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