Mavericks vs Thunder Preview and Injury Report: Primetime Against OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Paycom Center on October 26, 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 Images

The Dallas Mavericks (2-2) hope to spoil the Oklahoma City Thunder’s (4-0) perfect record to date on a nationally televised game on ESPN. Dallas returns home after a one-game trip in which they dispatched the Miami Heat in the final moments. The Thunder are trying to hold on for dear life as their rotation players get injured, seemingly left and right. Here’s what you need to know:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder
• WHAT: Primetime national TV game at home
• WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
• WHEN: 8:30 pm CST
• HOW: ESPN

The injury report is a long one for both teams, something that’s really annoying for the fifth game of the season. Kyrie Irving is questionable with injury management, but I expect he plays. Caleb Martin is also questionable with a thumb sprain. Dallas will be missing Sergio De Larrea with a sprained knee and Naji Marshall with an illness. Tarik Biberovic and Santi Aldama are missing as well, but the latter might be back Friday.

The Thunder are missing a host of players. Ajay Mitchell is questionable with an ankle sprain. Jalen Williams is out for the year following that terrible ankle injury. Cason Wallace will end up missing a huge chunk of the season with a shoulder tear. Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, Thomas Sorber, and Nikola Topic are out as well.

Dallas has a chance to notch a win over one of the best and deepest teams in the NBA. They are missing a ton of bodies and SGA is still a MVP-type player. There’s a deeper preview here as well as the gambling post as well.

Since you’re here checking out this post, it’s for one of two reasons.

• Injury report news
• Discussion and comment thread

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Consider joining me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube; I will be going live tonight, and I need y’all to join and participate!