The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff hopes are still very much alive, and they can help their chances tonight as they return from a 4-game West Coast road trip to host the visiting Charlotte Hornets. OKC managed to go 2-2 on the recent road trip, wrapping up it up with a 118-112 victory over the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday.
The Hornets are just 25-51 on the season, and considering they have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, they have no real reason to try to win. Unfortunately for OKC, Charlotte is in a weird place of limbo in terms of lottery position. Neither results will really have an affect on where the Hornets end up in the final standings at this point, so the Thunder needs to show up and take care of business by protecting their current 5-game home winning streak.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tweaked his ankle in the win over Portland on Sunday, and although he was able to finish the game, he is listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup. Whether he starts or not, OKC realistically should be able to get the win over Charlotte.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 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
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Charlotte Hornets Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Jaylin Williams
Hornets
- PG: Dennis Smith Jr.
- SG: Svi Mykhailiuk
- SF: Kelly Oubre
- PF: P.J. Washington Jr.
- C: Nick Richards
Injury Report
Thunder
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is QUESTIONABLE (sprained left ankle).
- Chet Holmgren is OUT (right foot surgery).
- Lindy Waters III is OUT (plantar fasciitis in left foot).
- Kenrich Williams is OUT (scapholunate ligament surgery in left wrist).
Hornets
- LaMelo Ball is OUT (right ankle surgery).
- Gordon Hayward is DOUBTFUL (sprained left thumb).
- Cody Martin is OUT (left knee soreness).
- Kelly Oubre is QUESTIONABLE (strained right shoulder).
- Terry Rozier is OUT (right foot discomfort).
- Mark Williams is OUT (rest).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-9 against the Hornets (9-4 at home, 9-5 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 twice, and tied it 5 times.
- The Thunder went 0-2 against the Hornets last season (0-1 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 0-1 against the Hornets so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).