Thunder Get Unexpected Alex Caruso News Amid Mounting Injury Crisis

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Thunder Get Unexpected Alex Caruso News Amid Mounting Injury Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 25: Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the second half against the LA Clippers at Paycom Center on October 25, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) Getty

Alder Almo · HEAVY

Wed, November 4, 2026 at 1:39 AM UTC ·

4 min read

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 15: Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the second quarter of the game against Fred Vanvleet #5 of the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) Getty

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 7: Jalen Williams #8, Jaylin Williams #6, and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on May 7, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) Getty

The Oklahoma City Thunder have spent much of the opening two weeks of the season watching their injury report grow. For once, a familiar name has disappeared from it.

Veteran guard Alex Caruso is on track to return Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing three consecutive games with a sprained right ankle.

Caruso was absent from the Thunder's injury report released Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. ET, an encouraging development for a team already missing several key rotation players.

The 32-year-old defensive specialist has not been officially confirmed as playing, but his removal from the report suggests he is ready to resume basketball activities without an injury designation.

Alex Caruso Set for Thunder Return Against Cavaliers

Oklahoma City Thunder v Houston Rockets — GettyAlex Caruso of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the second quarter of the game against Fred Vanvleet of the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Caruso suffered the ankle injury during Oklahoma City's victory over the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 26.

He subsequently missed games against Dallas, Houston and Cleveland, leaving the Thunder without one of their most experienced perimeter defenders.

His expected return comes just two days after Oklahoma City defeated Cleveland, 117-112, in the first meeting between the teams.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder with a season-high 43 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds remaining.

Ajay Mitchell added 20 points as Oklahoma City snapped a two-game losing streak.

But the victory required another exhausting performance from Gilgeous-Alexander, who attempted 35 shots in nearly 39 minutes.

Caruso's return could provide coach Mark Daigneault with another reliable ballhandler and defender while helping ease the burden on Oklahoma City's depleted backcourt.

Thunder Still Face Major Injury Crisis

Denver Nuggets v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Two — Getty Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate during the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets at Paycom Center on May 7, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Despite Caruso's encouraging update, the Thunder remain far from healthy.

Chet Holmgren is sidelined after undergoing treatment for a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee.

The Thunder announced Oct. 30 that Holmgren was expected to miss eight to 10 weeks.

Jalen Williams also remains unavailable following surgery for a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle.

Cason Wallace underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season.

Meanwhile, Nikola Topic remains out following lower back surgery, while Thomas Sorber is recovering from right knee surgery.

Jaylin Williams is also questionable for Wednesday's game because of lower back spasms.

The extensive list of absences has forced Daigneault to experiment with different lineups and lean heavily on younger players.

Caruso's defensive instincts, communication and championship experience could provide some much-needed stability.

Caruso's Return Comes at Critical Time for Oklahoma City

The Thunder enter Wednesday's rematch with a 5-2 record after surviving a tense finish in Cleveland.

Oklahoma City held an 11-point halftime advantage Monday before the Cavaliers rallied behind their perimeter shooting.

The fourth quarter featured eight ties and eight lead changes before Gilgeous-Alexander delivered the decisive basket.

That kind of tightly contested finish underscores Caruso's value.

He can defend multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes and organize teammates during critical possessions.

His return would not solve Oklahoma City's injury problems overnight.

But with Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Wallace facing extended absences, getting a proven defender back represents an important step.

The Thunder host Cleveland at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday, hoping to complete a two-game sweep.

For a roster that has endured one setback after another, Caruso's disappearance from the injury report is finally some welcome news.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

The post Thunder Get Unexpected Alex Caruso News Amid Mounting Injury Crisis appeared first on HEAVY .

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