The Oklahoma City Thunder is out on the road on Friday night for a short trip to Denver as they prepare to take on the reigning NBA Champion Denver Nuggets. These two teams met just a couple of weeks ago, and the night ended in dramatic fashion as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put OKC on top with a last-second bucket to give the Thunder a 118-117 decision.
Since that meeting, both teams have seen solid success as OKC finished 4-1 through a 5-game home stand while the Nuggets are the NBA’s hottest team right night having won their last 6. Denver is playing in the second game of a back-to-back after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies last night, but the Nuggets were thoroughly in control throughout, so they saw plenty of rest as the game wrapped up.
Denver is currently without Aaron Gordon, who is out recovering from some dog bites on his hand and face, but the Nuggets have plenty of weapons across the board. The young Thunder is continuing to find out who they really are as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues with his steady efficiency, but other guys are coming along as well, particularly Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Both Holmgren and Williams have proven themselves to be key pieces to the Thunder offense while making big plays on the defensive end as well.
Tonight’s game, which could be a glimpse into a future postseason battle, should be a fun one, and when it’s all said and done, one team will have claim of the number two spot in the Western Conference standings.
Tip-Off: 8 PM CT
Location: Ball Arena (Denver, Colorado)
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, Denver Nuggets Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Denver Nuggets
- PG: Jamal Murray
- SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- SF: Justin Holiday
- PF: Michael Porter Jr.
- C: Nikola Jokic
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Jaylin Williams is QUESTIONABLE (right hip contusion).
Nuggets
- Vlatko Cancar is OUT (left knee surgery).
- Colin Gillespie is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Aaron Gordon is OUT (hand and facial lacerations).
- Jay Huff is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Hunter Tyson is OUT (G League — on assignment).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 26-32 against the Nuggets (16-14 at home, 10-18 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series with the Nuggets 6 times, lost it 8 times, and tied it once.
- The Thunder went 1-3 against the Nuggets last season (0-2 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 1-1 against the Nuggets so far this season (0-1 at home, 1-0 on the road).