The Oklahoma City Thunder will start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, Kenrich Williams, rookie Aday Mara, and Isaiah Hartenstein against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, Sports Illustrated reported, a frontcourt-heavy lineup forced by season-ending injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.
The Thunder and Cavaliers are playing a home-and-home series, and Oklahoma City is looking to stack wins at the Paycom Center after an impressive upset over Cleveland on Monday night. The victory gave the Thunder a chance to build momentum, but the roster looks nothing like the one that opened the 2026-27 campaign. Injuries derailed the team’s season in the first week, and head coach Mark Daigneault has been forced to shuffle his starting five yet again.
Why is Mark Daigneault shuffling the starting five again?
The Thunder expect to be without All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams for the season and All-defensive guard Cason Wallace for the season, while All-NBA big man Chet Holmgren is out for eight to ten weeks. Jaylin Williams is also out of Wednesday’s game with back spasms. That cascade of absences leaves Daigneault scrambling for bodies, and the coaching staff has openly acknowledged it will take time to find solid ground.
There is one piece of good news on the injury report. Defensive ace Alex Caruso is back on the hardwood after suffering an ankle sprain last week. His return matters on both ends: he lifts the team’s point-of-attack defense, and on offense he adds connective playmaking, three-point shooting, and play finishing. Even with Caruso back, though, the Thunder are operating with a shorthanded rotation and will need production from unexpected places.
Who starts for Oklahoma City against Cleveland?
Thirty minutes before tip-off, the team announced its starting five. To keep the Thunder sized up in the frontcourt, Daigneault started the rookie, Aday Mara, alongside Isaiah Hartenstein. The full Oklahoma City starting lineup is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at guard, Ajay Mitchell at guard, Kenrich Williams at forward, Aday Mara at forward, and Isaiah Hartenstein at center.
Cleveland counters with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden in the backcourt, Maleek Thomas at forward, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen up front. The Cavaliers are also shorthanded, sitting Peyton Watson and Jaylon Tyson, two of their best point-of-attack defenders, which means they must stop the reigning back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander without their top perimeter stoppers. Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 43 points on Monday night and will be looking to extend that hot streak.
Despite the injury luck, the Thunder are favorites in this game. Oklahoma City is unbeaten at home, and Cleveland has been less than impressive to start the NBA season. The Cavaliers are attempting to rebound, literally, but doing so against a Thunder team that still has its superstar and now a key role player back in Caruso.
When and where do the Thunder play next?
Following Wednesday’s home contest, Oklahoma City travels to Memphis for a single road game as the opening night of a back-to-back set. The team then returns on Saturday to the Paycom Center to host the Washington Wizards. Staying perfect at home remains the goal, and the organization hopes to get the season back on the road after the devastating early injuries.
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