Thunder Aim for 9-0 Start Despite Key Absences Against Trail Blazers

The Oklahoma City Thunder have surged to an 8-0 start, the best opening stretch in franchise history, following a dominant 126-107 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The victory marked another milestone in what has been a record-setting early season for the defending champions.

But the momentum will be tested on Wednesday night when Oklahoma City faces the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. The Thunder will be without two key starters — Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort — along with veteran guard Alex Caruso, all of whom are sidelined due to rest or injury concerns.

The absences mean head coach Mark Daigneault will once again be forced to adjust his rotation for the second night of a back-to-back. It’s a familiar situation, as the Thunder played without Holmgren and Dort in Sunday’s 137-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Even with lineup changes, Oklahoma City’s depth has carried them through the season’s opening stretch. The challenge now will be sustaining that dominance against a 4-3 Trail Blazers team eager to hand them their first loss.

1. Adjusting Lineups and Managing Workload

With multiple starters out, Daigneault will once again lean on his reserves to maintain Oklahoma City’s rhythm. Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins were key contributors in Sunday’s win against the Pelicans and are expected to step into larger roles again against Portland. Holmgren, who has been dealing with lower back soreness, will sit for the fourth time in five games. The Thunder have taken a cautious approach with their young center, prioritizing long-term health over short-term gains. Dort’s absence comes after tweaking his right shoulder during Tuesday’s matchup with the Clippers. The team later described the injury as an upper right trapezius strain, prompting his removal from the lineup for precautionary reasons. Caruso, meanwhile, will rest after logging heavy minutes early in the season. His veteran presence has helped anchor Oklahoma City’s second unit, which has been one of the league’s most productive through the opening weeks.

2. Gilgeous-Alexander’s Historic Consistency

While injuries have tested the Thunder’s depth, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance has been a constant. The All-Star guard extended his streak of 20-plus-point games to 80 in Tuesday’s win over the Clippers — the third-longest in NBA history. The achievement moved him past Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson (79), placing him behind only Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the top two marks at 92 and 126 consecutive games. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points in just three quarters against Los Angeles, including 18 after halftime, showcasing his trademark efficiency. Head coach Mark Daigneault praised his star guard’s approach to preparation and performance. “His consistency is a reflection of his discipline,” Daigneault said. “Everything about his life — from his family to his work ethic — revolves around being the best basketball player he can be.” Gilgeous-Alexander’s excellence has not gone unnoticed. On Monday, he was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 2 of the 2025-26 season, further solidifying his early MVP candidacy.

3. Thunder Focused on Sustaining Early Success

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Despite the perfect start, Daigneault and his players have remained grounded, emphasizing that long-term success will depend on maintaining focus and adaptability. With multiple injuries early in the year, the Thunder have shown resilience and flexibility across their roster. Oklahoma City’s depth has been a defining strength, with contributions coming from up and down the lineup. Role players such as Williams, Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe have stepped up in key moments, helping the team weather injuries without losing momentum. The upcoming matchup with Portland represents another opportunity for the Thunder to demonstrate their maturity as a title contender. The Blazers, led by a promising young core, have been strong at home and could present a tough test for an Oklahoma City team missing several regular starters. As Daigneault put it after Tuesday’s win, “Our standard doesn’t change based on who’s available. Every guy in that locker room knows what we’re trying to build — and that’s what keeps us steady through all this.”