Thunder Face Injuries and Grizzlies in Cup Opener

Oklahoma City Thunder fans face a thin roster as the team opens its 2026 Emirates NBA Cup campaign against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Nov. 6. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at FedExForum. The Thunder enter the contest with a 6-2 record after winning their last two games. They are missing six players, including stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to carry a heavy offensive load in their absence.

The Thunder’s recent form has been strong despite the absences. They defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-116 on Wednesday night at Paycom Center. That win extended a two-game winning streak. Before that, they beat Cleveland 117-112 on Monday. In both games, Gilgeous-Alexander scored in the 40-point range. He dropped 43 points Monday and 42 points Wednesday. On Wednesday, he also recorded eight assists and hit 15 of 19 free throws.

The Thunder’s injury situation has forced head coach Mark Daigneault to rely on a mix of veterans and rookies. Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace are out with long-term injuries. Jaylin Williams was ruled out for Friday’s game due to low back spasms. Other absences include Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topić. This has opened the door for younger players like Bennett Stirtz and Ajay Mitchell. Stirtz scored 16 points off the bench Wednesday, making four of his seven three-point attempts. Mitchell added 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the same game.

Gilgeous-Alexander has acknowledged the team’s need to adjust on both ends of the floor. He praised Stirtz’s maturity in handling a larger role. “He’s very mature,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Ben has a really good head on his shoulder.” The Thunder guard also noted that the team’s expectations have not changed despite the injuries. “Winning in the NBA is very hard,” he said. “This group over the past years, no matter who’s out there, has found a way to go do that no matter what.”

The Grizzlies enter the matchup with a 6-2 record after losing two straight games. They are led by Ty Jerome, who is averaging 27.4 points per game this season. Jerome played for the Thunder from 2020 to 2022, making this a reunion. Memphis is coming off a 107-103 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. Jerome and Cedric Coward both scored 23 points in that game. Center Zach Edey recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The Grizzlies struggled from deep, shooting 12 of 44 from three-point range, and committed 19 turnovers.

The Thunder recently signed guard/forward Dalen Terry to a multiyear contract. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the agreement on Tuesday. Terry could make his debut Friday, adding depth to the wing as the Thunder manage their shortened rotation. His availability would give Daigneault another option to consider in the lineup.

This game marks the first round of the NBA Cup group stage. Both teams are in West Group B alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Each team plays four group-stage games, facing every other team in its group once. The six group winners automatically advance to the knockout rounds. One wild-card team from each conference also qualifies, based on the best second-place records. Point differential may decide which teams advance if records are tied.

The knockout rounds begin with quarterfinals on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. Semifinals are scheduled for Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, with higher-seeded teams hosting. The championship game will be played on Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This marks a change from previous tournaments, which held final rounds in Las Vegas. Group-stage games, quarterfinals, and semifinals count toward regular-season standings. The championship game does not count toward the 82-game schedule.

The injury reports for Friday’s game are based on the NBA’s 2 p.m. CT report. Oklahoma City is missing six players, while Memphis is missing Scotty Pippen Jr. and Isaiah Stewart. The games will be broadcast on KSBI Channel 52 in Oklahoma City and Tulsa CW in Tulsa. Streaming options include Thunder+ and various providers such as Spectrum, DIRECTV, and Fubo.