The already-thin Oklahoma City Thunder took another blow on Monday night, losing guard Alex Caruso to a right ankle sprain in their game against the Phoenix Suns. Caruso was ruled out for the rest of the night, adding to a growing injury crisis in Oklahoma City.
Alex Caruso (Credits: ESPN)
Caruso went down with 1:34 left in the second quarter after Suns forward Dillon Brooks accidentally fell on him following a shot attempt. Caruso headed straight to the locker room, and the Thunder later confirmed he would not return.
Alex Caruso Ankle Sprain: What Happened Against the Suns
Before exiting, Caruso had made an instant impact off the bench, finishing with nine points, two rebounds, and three assists in just nine minutes. His absence was felt immediately — Caruso is one of the Thunder’s most important defensive pieces and a steadying veteran presence.
The timing could hardly be worse. Just hours before tip-off, Thunder general manager Sam Presti announced that Jalen Williams will undergo surgery on his left ankle — a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula that will most likely end his 2026-27 season — and that Cason Wallace will also go under the knife for a torn labrum in his left shoulder, facing a five-to-six-month recovery.
Thunder Injury Crisis Deepens as Caruso Joins Williams and Wallace
With Williams and Wallace already out, Caruso’s injury stretches an already thin rotation even further. Young guards Josh Dix and Bennett Stirtz are expected to see increased playing time while the Thunder wait for updates.
Despite the injuries, Oklahoma City kept rolling on Monday, closing in on a fourth straight win to open the season behind a career-high 27 points from Ajay Mitchell. But the bigger question now is how long Caruso will be sidelined — no timeline has been announced yet, and his status will be worth monitoring ahead of Wednesday’s game at Dallas.
For a team with championship ambitions, the injury pile-up is a serious early-season test of depth.
Also Read: Zendaya, Dinah Jane Headline Celebrity Appearances at WNBA Finals
Source: ESPN — read the full story there.
