Oklahoma City visits Dallas at American Airlines Center on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The Thunder are 4–0 after Monday’s 125–114 win over Phoenix; Dallas is 2–2 after beating Miami 113–109.
Reported facts: multiple roles are affected
The NBA’s 7:30 a.m. Eastern report lists Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace out; Ajay Mitchell is questionable. Dallas lists Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin questionable, Santi Aldama doubtful and Dereck Lively II out. Other listed absences are linked in the full report.
Cooper Flagg leads Dallas’ early scoring and assist averages. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Oklahoma City’s scoring average. Those roles are established in current statistics, but neither team’s starting five was confirmed at publication.
ISR analysis: track the jobs, not just the names
Oklahoma City’s absences touch creation, perimeter defense and interior coverage. Watch which players bring the ball up, who handles the second action after Gilgeous-Alexander gives it up, and whether defensive rebounding finishes the possession.
For Dallas, Irving’s status could alter how much initiation falls to Flagg. The useful comparison is not simply points with and without a guard: it is whether the available lineup creates good shots without surrendering transition opportunities. Mitchell’s designation also matters for the Thunder’s non-star handling minutes.
Factors to watch
- Irving’s and Mitchell’s final status.
- Dallas’ available interior finishers.
- Oklahoma City’s secondary ball handling.
- Turnovers that lead directly to transition.
Timestamped market snapshot
ESPN’s game listing displayed DraftKings: OKC -6.5; total 228.5, checked October 28, 2026, 7:44 a.m. EDT. This is a source snapshot, not a closing-line claim. No market movement or recommendation is implied.
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