Alex Caruso is poised to return for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers after the veteran guard was left off the team’s latest injury report.
The 32-year-old defensive specialist had missed three straight games with a sprained right ankle. His name did not appear on the report issued Tuesday evening, a positive sign for a roster dealing with extensive absences.
Caruso injured the ankle during Oklahoma City’s win over the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 26. He then sat out contests against the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Cleveland in the teams’ first meeting of the season.
The Thunder improved to 5-2 with a 117-112 road victory over the Cavaliers on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 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 skid.
Gilgeous-Alexander attempted 35 shots and played nearly 39 minutes in the win. The heavy workload highlighted the strain on the team’s backcourt while key contributors recover from injuries.
Oklahoma City continues to navigate a significant injury list despite Caruso’s progress. Chet Holmgren remains sidelined after undergoing biological treatment for a small patellar tendon tear in his right knee. The team announced on Oct. 30 that he is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks.
Jalen Williams is out following surgery for a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle. Cason Wallace also had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated before the end of the regular season.
Nikola Topic is recovering from lower back surgery, and Thomas Sorber continues to rehab from right knee surgery. Jaylin Williams is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game because of lower back spasms.
The absences have forced coach Mark Daigneault to adjust lineups and rely more on younger players in the rotation. Caruso’s return could offer additional ballhandling and perimeter defense as the team manages the early-season challenges.
Oklahoma City holds a 5-2 record and sits fifth in the Western Conference. The Thunder host Cleveland at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday in the second game of the home-and-home series.
Caruso has averaged 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists in limited action this season. His defensive instincts and experience could help stabilize the perimeter while longer-term recoveries continue.
The Thunder’s early schedule has already tested their depth. Monday’s victory required another high-usage outing from Gilgeous-Alexander, who has shouldered much of the offensive load amid the injuries.
With Holmgren, Williams and Wallace facing extended absences, any addition to the available roster represents a step toward greater stability. Caruso’s clearance from the injury report provides that opportunity for the rematch.
Oklahoma City will look to build on the recent win and complete a series sweep at home. The game offers a chance to evaluate how the adjusted lineup performs with another experienced defender back in the mix.
The Thunder’s injury situation remains fluid beyond Caruso. Monitoring the status of Jaylin Williams and the longer timelines for the others will shape the rotation in the coming weeks.
