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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have received devastating news regarding several key players, including Jalen Williams, following his frightening injury against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Williams has a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula. He suffered the injury after getting fouled on a drive with 1:14 left in his team's 108-101 win over the Clippers and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he was stretchered off.
Charania reported in his update on ESPN's "SportsCenter" that both Williams and teammate Cason Wallace, who suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder, will be out for a significant time. He indicated that both players will have surgeries "that will cost them several months of the season," and it's possible they could be out for the entire season.
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The ESPN reporter called it "a gutting day" for the Thunder, who had "championship hopes" this season. These injuries arrive amid Oklahoma City's 3-0 start to the season, with the team set to host the Phoenix Suns on Monday night.
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Williams was averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game so far this season. Wallace averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game as a key Thunder reserve.
Last season, the Thunder were bested by the Spurs in an intense seven-game Western Conference Finals, and the availability of Williams was a factor.
He missed a significant part of last season due to hamstring injuries and played in just three of the Western Conference Finals games. Williams delivered a 37-point performance in Game 1, an overtime loss to the Spurs, demonstrating the impact he can have when healthy.
Oklahoma City started the season as championship favorites. They've since fallen below the San Antonio Spurs to second place in the NBA championship odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Western Conference is also loaded with contenders, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers, who are off to strong starts. Along with the Spurs, other potential contenders include the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets.
The Thunder host the Suns at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 26, with the devastating injury news looming over the team.
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