OKLAHOMA CITY -- Scott Brooks wouldn't take the easy way out and say his team has just been unlucky.
Because, really, there's some truth in that. The Thunder have been unlucky. Devastatingly so.
Russell Westbrook's knee two seasons ago, Serge Ibaka's calf last season and now Kevin Durant's foot. The first two effectively resulted in the Thunder's season ending before reaching The Finals. The third, and possibly the most-signficant of them all, is still to be determined.
But Brooks didn't budge. He said no one is feeling sorry for his team, said the Thunder are all about "No excuses," and said the team is going to figure out a way to win games. "Injuries are part of the game," he said.
Brooks is right of course, but let's not pretend everything is status quo in Oklahoma City. Everything has changed.
Instead of trying to figure out how Reggie Jackson will be used this season, the decision has ultimately been made.
Instead of trying to figure out how Jeremy Lamb will be used, the decision has been made.
And instead of figuring out how much the Thunder will depend on Serge Ibaka, Russell Westbrook and newcomer Anthony Morrow now that Durant is out for the near future, Oklahoma City's decisions are made.
Instead of taking his time to see how Steven Adams has developed or how well Andre Roberson's offense has come along, Brooks is going to have to be a master of mixology for at least the first 20 or so games with combinations never seen before, including names we've only halfway considered as significant pieces.
Kevin Durant's foot has forced the hand of Scott Brooks.
Until Sunday, when the Thunder announced Durant would be out at least six weeks with a fractured foot, Brooks had the time and space to see if Jackson would be the best person to start at the No. 2 guard spot.
Now, Brooks has no choice. Jackson has to start, fit or no fit, better off the bench or not, doesn't matter. The only thing that should keep Jackson from starting is his injured wrist, which kept him from practicing Monday, but has been classified as day-to-day.
"You can't replace Kevin Durant with just one guy," Brooks said.
He's right, but you start with Jackson, the best bet to start picking up some of the 30 points per game the team has to fill. Jackson can score. He can play major minutes. And now Brooks has no chance but to start him, play him and hope he can score with some regularity.
"It's key that all of us stick together," Westbrook said after practice Monday. "We have to find a way to stick together and get wins."
A lot of that will rest with Westbrook, who said his role with the team hasn't changed and won't change, but Westbrook is wrong about that. He's Matt Saracen, QB 1, taking over after the team's star goes down with an injury. Westbrook's role is new, a leader for the first time and Brooks has to manage and massage that, too. Staying together like Westbrook said will only happen if Westbrook makes it so.
As for Ibaka: Since James Harden has left, the Thunder have been desperate to find a No. 3, consistent, offensive performer. Ibaka has to be that person now. No choice.
And Lamb? His easy going manner, a walk, don't run kind of personality is quirky and fun, but is it the kind of personality suitable for a player who will undoubtedly get thrown into the rotation? Same goes for Perry Jones, a starter for six games a season ago, Jones seems a natural fit to replace Durant.
"Injuries are a part of the game," Westbrook said. "But there are guys who have put themselves in position to step up. Confidence is high."
The Thunder could sleepwalk their way to the playoffs. They still have an elite team, even without Durant. Westbrook and Ibaka, along with Jackson, are good enough to win a lot of games, even if they play exactly the same as they did a season ago.
But this season, at least for the first part of it, won't look or feel anything like a season ago.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
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