Help has arrived. The Oklahoma City Thunder will have Alex Caruso available for Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had missed the last three games with an ankle sprain.
Since the last time Caruso played, the Thunder have received even grimmer injury news. Chet Holmgren will miss two-plus months with a small torn patellar tendon. He underwent a biological treatment to recover from it. That means he'll be out until around New Year's.
Of course, there's also the long-term absences of Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. The Thunder are in a new NBA reality. Williams sustained a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle. Wallace sustained a torn labrum. Both had surgery to fix the problems. Their 2026-27 season status is up in the air
and will be re-evaluated before the 2027 NBA playoffs start.
But the Thunder can worry about all of that another day. For now, Caruso's return is much needed. He's expected to take on a bulkier load with the large number of absences. The 32-year-old has been off to a stellar start. He's averaged 9.3 points on 56.5% shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in four games this season.
Remains to be seen if Caruso starts, but he'll surely take on either Donovan Mitchell or James Harden as the Thunder and Cavaliers wrap up their regular-season series.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Alex Caruso to return from 3-game absence in OKC's game against Cavaliers
