Thunder Slide to No. 10 as Injuries Mount
Oklahoma City dropped from No. 1 to No. 10 in ESPN's power rankings after a string of key players were sidelined.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball
The Oklahoma City Thunder have fallen from No. 1 to No. 10 in ESPN's power rankings despite a 5-2 record. Injuries to several key players have weakened the team's defense.
Why it matters
The drop reflects how quickly roster injuries can reshape a contender's standing, even with a winning record. Oklahoma City's defensive identity appears to be the most affected area.
Cason Wallace averaged 1.9 steals per game last season, while Ajay Mitchell is averaging 1.4 steals this year. Chet Holmgren is expected to miss up to 10 weeks.
The players
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City-based NBA franchise that has built its identity around a young core and a strong defensive approach.
Cason Wallace
A Thunder guard who was a top perimeter defender last season and whose absence is expected to be felt all year.
Jalen Williams
A Thunder wing and key contributor whose injury could keep him out for the entire season.
Chet Holmgren
A Thunder big man expected to miss up to 10 weeks while recovering from injury.
Alex Caruso
A veteran Thunder guard whose injury has contributed to the team's defensive decline and who is expected to return.
The details
Injuries to Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso have hurt the Thunder's defense. Over the past four games, Oklahoma City has ranked third-to-last in points off turnovers.
Timeline
Last season, Wallace averaged 1.9 steals per game as a top defender.
Over the past four games, the Thunder ranked third-to-last in points off turnovers.
Holmgren is expected to miss up to 10 weeks with injury.
Roadmap
Wallace's 1.9 steals per game last season established a defensive baseline that Oklahoma City now must replace. The Thunder's ranking drop shows how depth becomes critical when a contender loses multiple defensive pieces at once.
Fantasy managers relying on Cason Wallace or Jalen Williams should expect reduced steals and scoring output while they are out. Thunder games will likely see more minutes distributed to replacement players.
The takeaway
A team's record can mask structural problems when multiple core defenders are injured at once. Watching turnover-driven scoring and steal numbers can reveal defensive decline before the standings do.
Further reading
Follow more coverage of the team in Oklahoma City Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
