Injuries have left Oklahoma City behind before the season starts, but that could be for the best.

The Thunder tip off their season on Thursday in Denver, but they could be without a few key players. The status of Jalen Williams, Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams is unknown. In the meantime, the team will be without new signing Isaiah Hartenstein for several weeks.

Injuries are inevitable and part of the game. While it’s not ideal to start the season at full speed, it does give the Thunder a chance to experiment.

These injuries will undoubtedly be the first of many over an 82-game season. As long as the Thunder can avoid serious injuries, especially to their stars, they will be in a good position.

Of course, the Thunder’s championship aspirations could lead to another two months of basketball after the regular season. If the Thunder have little injury luck in the postseason, these early games could be a perfect way to prepare.

The Thunder’s injuries have particularly affected their big man rotation, with Chet Holmgren being the lone man at center until the help returns. These injuries allow the Thunder to try different small-ball lineups when Holmgren is off the floor. While the Thunder have gone small during Mark Daigneault’s tenure, Alex Caruso could add a new wrinkle to those lineups.

That can be especially valuable come the postseason. While the Thunder have the personnel to go big all game long when healthy, the small ball will always be a weapon they can fall back on given their ability to force turnovers and get in transition.

If Holmgren and/or Hartenstein run into foul trouble in the postseason, the unconventional looks Oklahoma City will use early in the season could make a resurgence. Mark Daigneault and the Thunder will be somewhat comfortable with those looks, albeit not in an ideal situation.

The Thunder’s offseason has been all about getting bigger, but they will have a unique opportunity to try small lineups that they might not have had with a fully healthy roster.

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