On Sunday, the OKC Thunder excitingly won their first bout of the season against the LA Clippers, but lost star wing Jalen Williams to one of the most gruesome injuries in recent years in the process.
The All-Star rose up against two Clippers defenders and was subsequently thrown to the ground, but not before his leg got caught up underneath him.
At this point, it would be a miracle if J-Dub didn't miss the remainder of the season, and either Jared McCain or Ajay Mitchell will presumably step into the starting lineup as his direct replacement.
That leaves first-round draft pick Bennett Stirtz to backfill the bench minutes on the wings. Of course, whether he's up to the task remains to be seen.
Stirtz wasn't the most physically imposing prospect coming out of Iowa, but he has turned heads ever since joining the Thunder this past June.
From showing out in Summer League to shooting over 50.0 percent from three in the preseason, he has proven why he was deserving of a mid-first-round nod.
That being said, his minutes thus far in the regular season have been modest at best.
Sunday's contest was the first time Stirtz registered more than two minutes in a game this season, but it appears an unexpected promotion is now set to head his way.
Much of Thunder's bench success will now hinge on Bennett Stirtz
Both Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain have established themselves as exceptional players at the NBA level. While they're not Jalen Williams, they will undoubtedly be able to slot into the starting rotation in his place.
Stirtz, on the other hand, is a different animal.
He is completely unproven, and the difference between him and someone like Ajay Mitchell in the second unit is arguably greater than the difference between J-Dub and Mitchell in the starting lineup.
For years, the Thunder's calling card has been their unparalleled depth. They sacrificed some of that this offseason by moving on from Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe.
Now, Williams' injury will pose the ultimate test to see how well back-end rotation players like Stirtz can step up in place of absent contributors.
When all is said and done, Stirtz could very well determine how deep this team goes in the postseason. When push comes to shove, the Thunder will once again have to rely on every man in their rotation.
If they have even one week-long injury, it could mean the difference between returning to the NBA Finals and going home disappointed.
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