Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live-tweets and discussion during the game
It’s been 11 days since Devante’ Graham hit the longest buzzer-beater in NBA history to help the New Orleans Pelicans pull out the win in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. A couple of days later, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found redemption when he hit a buzzer-beater of his own to knock off the Los Angeles Clipper, and now, less than two weeks later, the Pelicans are back in town for another showdown between two of the bottom teams in the Western Conference.
Brandon Ingram led the way for the Pelicans in the last matchup, putting up a stat line of 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Jonas Valanciunas is out, and he played a huge role in helping the Pelicans outrebound the Thunder by pulling down 16 of his team’s 49 boards. Without him, the Thunder might be able to find more success in rebounding.
Just because these two teams have poor records does not mean that they have been playing poor basketball. The Thunder enters tonight having won 3 of their last 4 since their last meeting, and the Pelicans are on a 4-game win streak. Regardless of their rankings in the Western Conference standings, this should be another fun matchup.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
- C: Derrick Favors
Pelicans
- PG: Devonte’ Graham
- SG: Brandon Ingram
- SF: Josh Hart
- PF: Herbert Jones
- C: Willy Hernangomez
Injuries
Thunder
- Darius Bazley is OUT (health and safety protocols).
- Vit Krejci is OUT (G League — On Assignment).
Pelicans
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker is OUT (health and safety protocols).
- Jose Alvarado is OUT (health and safety protocols).
- Kira Lewis Jr. is OUT (sprained right knee ACL/MCL).
- Didi Louzada is OUT (league suspension).
- Naji Marshall is OUT (health and safety protocols).
- Jonas Valanciunas is OUT (non-COVID illness).
- Zion Williamson is OUT (fractured right foot).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 30-18 against the Pelicans (16-9 at home, 14-9 on the road).
- The Thunder has won the season series with the Pelicans 8 times, tied it once, and lost it 4 times.
- The Thunder went 1-2 against the Pelicans last season (0-2 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder is 1-1 against the Pelicans so far this season (0-1 at home, 1-0 on the road).