Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: okcthunder.com or the Thunder App
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live-tweets and discussion during the game
A somewhat quiet offseason for the Oklahoma City Thunder has left many fans less than excited about what looks like another tanking season, but there’s plenty to look forward to at the Paycom Center this season. Despite a projected league-low number of wins, the Thunder can “win” this season by continuing to develop the young talent and improve towards the goal of ultimately becoming a contender.
Tonight, the Thunder kicks off the preseason with a home matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. This will be the first game played in front of a crowd since March of 2020 when the entire league was temporarily shut down due to covid-19. Things will look a little different this time around, but it will be nice to be back in the newly named Paycom Center.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Aleksej Pokuševski
- PF: Darius Bazley
- C: Isaiah Roby
Hornets
- PG: Lamelo Ball
- SG: Terry Rozier
- SF: Gordon Hayward
- PF: P.J. Washington
- C: Mason Plumlee
Injuries
Thunder
- Kenrich Williams is QUESTIONABLE (toe).
Hornets
- D.J. Carton is OUT (health and safety protocols).
- Jalen McDaniels is OUT (right foot discomfort).
Head-to-Head
*Head-to-head records are from regular season and playoffs matchups only*
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-6 against the Hornets (9-3 at home, 9-3 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the regular season series against the Hornets 8 times, lost it once, and tied it 5 times.
- The Thunder tied the season series with the Hornets last season (0-1 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder had won 5 matchups in a row against the Hornets before losing at home to New Orleans last April.