Coming out of the All-Star, the Oklahoma City Thunder was in 10th place in the Western Conference and looking like they could move up the standings. Since returning to action, OKC has lost two close games, lost Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at least temporarily to injury, and is now looking at 7 games in 11 days.
The Thunder returns home on Sunday night to play host to the Sacramento Kings. These two teams met back in January in Sacramento, a 118-113 decision in favor of the Kings. If SGA is indeed out tonight, OKC will rely on a more balanced point of attack on offense. Isaiah Joe was able to step up and score a career-high 28 points on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns, but neither Josh Giddey nor Luguentz Dort have shot the ball well at all in the last two games.
Sacramento is fresh off a historic 176-175 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night, so perhaps the Thunder could catch them off guard after such an emotional win. However, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander listed as out, OKC is going to have a tough time matching up with a surprisingly talented Kings squad.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: ESPN and Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Sacramento Kings Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Josh Giddey
- SG: Isaiah Joe
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Jaylin Williams
Kings
- PG: De’Aaron Fox
- SG: Kevin Huerter
- SF: Harrison Barnes
- PF: Keegan Murray
- C: Domantas Sabonis
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is OUT (right ankle soreness; abdominal strain).
- Chet Holmgren is OUT (right foot surgery).
- Aleksej Pokusevski is OUT (left tibial plateau; non-displaced fracture).
Kings
- KZ Okpala is OUT (not with team).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 33-19 against the Kings (19-5 at home, 14-14 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 3 times, and tied it once.
- The Thunder went 1-3 against the Kings last season (1-1 at home, 0-2 on the road).
- The Thunder is 0-1 against the Kings so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).