Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #52 Preview: Sacramento Kings

The Oklahoma City Thunder is riding a 3-game win streak after defeating the Trail Blazers in Portland last night, and they have a chance to match their season-long streak of four wins tonight as they take on the Kings in Sacramento. The Kings have had a rough season so far, and similar to the Thunder before the 3-game win streak, Sacramento has lost a lot of games lately.

In their last nine tries, the Kings have just one win, but only two of those eight losses took place at home, where they have been decently solid all season. Meanwhile, OKC is playing in the second game of a back-to-back, so there’s always the fatigue of playing 2 games in a 24-hour period.

On the bright side for the Thunder, Luguentz Dort has been on a tear lately, averaging 22.8 points on 48.1% shooting from the floor, including 45.0% from three, along with 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and a steal through the last 5 games. OKC is certainly missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Dort is holding down the fort for now, so tonight’s matchup with the Kings should be another fun one.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Josh Giddey
  • SG: Tre Mann
  • SF: Luguentz Dort
  • PF: Darius Bazley
  • C: Mamadi Diakite

Kings

  • PG: De’Aaron Fox
  • SG: Tyrese Haliburton
  • SF: Harrison Barnes
  • PF: Marvin Bagley III
  • C: Richaun Holmes

Injuries

Thunder

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is OUT (sprained right ankle).
  • Vit Krejci is OUT (sprained right ankle).
  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is OUT (third metatarsal fracture in right foot).
  • Isaiah Roby is OUT (sprained right ankle).
  • Aaron Wiggins is OUT (sprained right ankle).

Kings

  • Marvin Bagley III is QUESTIONABLE (sprained left ankle).
  • Terence Davis is OUT (ECU tendon recovery in right wrist).
  • De’Aaron Fox is QUESTIONABLE (left ankle soreness).

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 33-16 against the Kings (19-4 at home, 14-12 on the road).
  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the regular season series against the Kings 10 times, lost it twice, and tied it once.
  • The Thunder went 0-3 against the Kings last season (0-1 at home, 0-2 on the road).
  • The Thunder is 1-1 against the Kings so far this season (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).

Game Notes

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