Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #34 Preview: Phoenix Suns

Tip-Off: 8 PM CT

Location: Footprint Center (Phoenix, Arizona)

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 not even been a whole week yet since the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Phoenix Suns met, yet once again, these two teams will go head-to-head in Phoenix. Six days ago, the Thunder led the Suns by double digits in the third quarter, but Phoenix managed to rally in a major way to come away with the double-digit victory

While the Suns should definitely win this matchup, they are a little short-handed due to covid. OKC knows all about that as well, though. The Thunder struggled last night in a close loss to the Kings in Sacramento, but perhaps they will start tonight’s game with the energy necessary to take on one of the league’s best teams.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG: Aaron Wiggins
  • SF: Luguentz Dort
  • PF: Paul Watson Jr.
  • C: Isaiah Roby

Suns

  • PG: Chris Paul
  • SG: Devin Booker
  • SF: Mikal Bridges
  • PF: Cameron Johnson
  • C: Javale McGee

Injuries

Thunder

  • Darius Bazley is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Derrick Favors is AVAILABLE.
  • Josh Giddey is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Vit Krejci is OUT (G League – on assignment).
  • Tre Mann is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Aleksej Pokusevski is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Jeremiah Earl-Robinson is OUT (health and safety protocols).

Suns

  • Deandre Ayton is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Jae Crowder is OUT (health and safety protocols).
  • Frank Kaminsky is OUT (stress reaction in right knee).
  • Abdel Nader is OUT (right knee injury management).
  • Dario Saric is OUT (right ACL tear).
  • Ish Wainright is OUT (lower back soreness).

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 30-16 against the Suns (17-5 at home, 13-11 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Suns 9 times, tied once, and lost 3 times.
  • The Thunder lost the season series with the Suns 1-2 a year ago (0-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
  • The Thunder is 0-1 against the Suns so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).

Game Notes

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