Title: Injury Report & Lineup Shifts Ahead of Game 3
The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Finals ahead of Game 3. Multiple key players across both teams have been dealing with injuries that have affected their availability and performance throughout the series.
San Antonio Spurs Player Status
De'Aaron Fox
Guard De'Aaron Fox was ruled out of Game 1 approximately one hour before tip-off due to right ankle soreness. He participated in the morning shootaround and tested the ankle about 90 minutes before the game but was ultimately unable to play.
Fox missed the first two games of the series due to a right leg injury sustained when his leg was rolled on by Minnesota guard Ayo Dosunmu on May 15.
Fox was cleared to play in Game 3. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson stated that the ankle issue is not expected to resolve as long as the team continues playing. Fox missed the first eight games of the season and only three games since. Prior to Game 1, the Spurs held a 7-3 record without Fox.
Dylan Harper
Rookie Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, started in Fox's place for Games 1 and 2. Harper exited Game 2 after landing awkwardly and grabbing his hamstring with 4:50 remaining in the third quarter.
He was diagnosed with right adductor soreness but was cleared to play in Game 3.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Status
Jalen Williams
Forward Jalen Williams was officially ruled out for Game 7 of the series (and subsequently Game 3) due to a left hamstring strain.
Williams initially injured his hamstring in Game 2 of the Thunder's first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns. He missed the next six games but returned for the start of the Western Conference Finals.
- In Game 1, he played 37 minutes and recorded 26 points and seven rebounds in a 122-115 double-overtime loss.
- He left Game 2 after seven minutes due to re-aggravation of the injury.
- Williams returned for Game 6 but played only 10 minutes and attempted one shot, sitting the entire fourth quarter.
Recurring hamstring issues in both legs limited Williams to 33 regular-season games. Despite his absence, the Thunder have an 8-1 postseason record in games Williams has not played.
During the 2024-25 season, Williams made the All-NBA Third Team and his first All-Star appearance, averaging 21.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. In the playoffs, he averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 23 starts.
Other Player Notes
Guard Ajay Mitchell remains out with a calf strain. The absence of Williams and Mitchell leaves the Thunder without two key secondary shot creators, placing additional pressure on guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has shot 37.9% through six games in the series.
Thunder Lineup Adjustments
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has used guard Jared McCain as a starter. McCain, acquired via trade from the Philadelphia 76ers, has averaged 12.6 points per game over the last two playoff rounds. Forward Jaylin Williams has also received increased minutes off the bench, contributing 18 points and five rebounds in Game 3.
Lineups featuring Gilgeous-Alexander, McCain, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lu Dort have struggled, with San Antonio often taking early leads.
Daigneault may consider starting Cason Wallace in place of Dort.
Coach Statements
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson: "There's games that people are playing right now that wouldn't be playing in the regular season... I think there are levels of competitiveness and urgency."