Can the Oklahoma City Thunder contend without Jaylen Williams and Cason Wallace?

The 2026-2027 season began one week ago from today. Injuries are a part of the game and can happen at any point in an NBA season. Injuries can range from day to day, week to week and season ending. The Oklahoma City Thunder have recently experienced the worst injury luck to begin an NBA season by the largest margin. On October 25th, the Thunder won their third game of the young season but suffered two major injuries along the way. These injuries weren't like most injuries, as the injuries were season-ending injuries to 2025 champion guard Cason Wallace and 2025 champion and all-star forward Jaylen Williams. Williams, who missed more than half of last season and the majority of the Thunder's 2026 playoff run, was hopeful for a bounce back season while being healthy and recovering from past injuries. Wallace, who was a reliable starter and bench player last season, will experience a lost season for the first time in his young career. Williams' injury is the most concerning and heartbreaking as he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated his ankle. Wallace suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Season-ending surgeries for both players is a blow to the Oklahoma City Thunder. To make matters worse, the Thunder lack much of the depth that they had last season. Following the 2026 NBA Finals, the Thunder began salary dumping multiple role players from their 2025 championship in order to stay below the second apron. The Thunder's depth has shrunk following the trades of role players Aaron Wiggins, Isiah Joe, and Lu Dort. These three role players were originally considered expendable but now will likely be missed when reflecting on past seasons. While the Thunder have lost a lot of positional depth, they can still contend in the Western Conference. The Thunder are still led by arguably the best player and reigning MVP in the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA was already entering the new season as a favorite to win his third NBA MVP. While voter fatigue may be a factor, Gilgeous Alexander will once again be tasked with leading his team in scoring at the highest level. He has won the MVP twice, and he can do it again, if he stays healthy and continues to play at a superstar level. The Thunder also have a lot of young up-and-coming talent that will only continue to improve and grow as the season moves forward. Key role players like Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain will now have opportunities to take the next steps in their NBA careers as starting caliber players. 2025 champion and All-star Chet Holmgren will also have an opportunity to put last year's Western Conference Finals blunder behind him. Holmgren will once again be key to the Thunder as their second scoring option, with the chance to make his second All-star team. The Thunder will also evaluate their rookie talent, including young centers Aday Mara, Thomas Sorber, and guard Bennet Stirtz. Established veterans must also play their part, including Isiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. Their veteran experience will be key for many of the team's young rookies. A next man up mentality will be needed for the Thunder as they play nearly their entire 2026-2027 season without two of their originally projected starters. A trade might not be imminent, but it is always possible as the Thunder have a hoard of first and second round picks from previous trades. The Thunder still features much of their 2025 champion core and that championship DNA does not go away less than two years later. So can the Oklahoma City Thunder still contender in the West without two champion starters? Will they make changes to their core as the season progresses? Injuries are part of the game, and they often find a way to impact a team when least expected. It's up to that team to weather the storm and make the most of what the game brings to them.