Finally, Oklahoma City's full starting lineup unites in Vegas. A championship quest begins with their healthiest unit yet, facing a rival's star return.
It's finally happening.
For the first time all season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to have their entire starting five healthy and available for a game. The news of Isaiah Hartenstein being off the OKC injury report meant that the Thunder big man was returning from the calf strain that had kept him sidelined for the last six games.
In a funny twist, the debut of the Thunder's preferred starting unit of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein will not come at home nor on the road. The premiere of the lineup used most often when healthy during last season's championship run will come in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup Semifinals clash against the San Antonio Spurs.
Oklahoma City wasn't the only NBA Cup final four squad to get good health news regarding a starting center. Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is likely to return in the battle to clinch an NBA Cup Finals trip after missing the last 12 games, coincidentally also with a calf strain.
Despite storming out of the gates with the greatest 25 game start in league history, Thunder fans have been greatly anticipating the night when their favorite team was fully healthy. Unfortunately, the same game Jalen Williams made his much awaited season debut was the exact same contest Hartenstein missed his first game of the season.
And while the Thunder are the closest they've been to being at full power this season, they are not quite yet 100% whole. The reigning champs have been without sharpshooter Isaiah Joe for the last three games as he deals with a left knee contusion. Additionally, Thomas Sorber, the #15 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft will redshirt this season as he recovers from and ACL injury. And, of course, Nikola Topic will continue to focus on matters much bigger than basketball, which is his health and recovery from testicular cancer treatment.
Thunder players are on record as saying they want to win the NBA Cup Championship. The team has a chance this Saturday and Tuesday to settle a bit of unfinished business from last season. And this OKC squad that has already looked near unstoppable through 25 games just added a 7 foot reinforcement to assist in the Cup quest.
The Spurs have proven to be one of the West's best as they knocked off a healthy Lakers team even without Wembanyama. They will be a tough test. One of the rare instances this season that Oklahoma City may need all hands on deck.
The Thunder starting five debut couldn't have timed out any better.