Thunder’s Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell Miss Game 7 Due to Injuries

In a critical moment for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell will be absent from Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The game is scheduled for Saturday night. Both players have faced persistent injuries throughout the series.

Williams has been troubled by a strained left hamstring during the playoffs. The injury affected much of his season. He missed 49 out of 82 regular-season games due to wrist and hamstring problems. His latest injury has kept him out of 10 playoff games this year, though he played a brief 10 minutes in Thursday’s Game 6 defeat to the Spurs.

Mitchell, who initially filled Williams’ role in the lineup, is also sidelined. He has a strained right soleus. With Mitchell injured, Oklahoma City has turned to Jared McCain. McCain starts alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren.

As for the San Antonio Spurs, they have reported no injuries ahead of Game 7.

The NBA has appointed Marc Davis, John Goble, and Josh Tiven as referees for this decisive game. It will be the second Game 7 in the playoffs for both Davis and Tiven. Davis previously officiated the final game of the Cleveland-Detroit series in the second round. Tiven managed Game 7 between Orlando and Detroit in the first round.