Thunder lose services of Williams and Wallace to injury

A return date for the key players will not be determined until after the surgeries are completed, though both are at risk of missing the remainder of the season, based on similar previous injury cases.

General Manager Sam Presti said in a press conference: "We are very optimistic about the players' recovery," adding: "Most importantly, things could have been much worse."

The Thunder opened the new league season with four consecutive victories, with significant contributions from the players in the first three games.

Williams averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1 steal per game, while Wallace recorded averages of 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 assists per game.

Presti said: "When things like this happen, it's very difficult. These kinds of challenges are thrown in your path, and you have to keep moving. You take the hits and overcome the obstacles. Our players are ready to do that."

Presti explained that he has not yet considered making deals to bolster the team's short-term prospects, adding: "I haven't given that much thought."

This also includes any attempt to persuade former Thunder star Russell Westbrook to come out of retirement. The 2017 league MVP announced his retirement last August at the age of 37, after 18 seasons in the league, including the period from 2008 to 2019 with Oklahoma City.

Williams signed a five-year, $239 million contract extension last year, after playing through the team's title run while suffering from a torn ligament in his right wrist.

He missed 19 games last season while recovering from wrist surgery, and also suffered from recurring hamstring injuries throughout the season, before encountering this new setback.

As for Wallace, who signed a five-year, $139 million contract extension last week, he sustained his injury in the first quarter after colliding with a movable barrier.