Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault called a timeout just a few minutes into the game as the Thunder trailed the visiting Brooklyn Nets 8-0 on New Year’s Eve. OKC fans stood all across the arena as they patiently waited for the first Thunder bucket, a rarity at this juncture in the game. It took the Thunder majority of the first half to get things under control, but at halftime, they had gained a 3-point lead, one they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
By the end of the night, all 5 starters had scored at least 17 points, and the Thunder had defeated the Nets 124-108 to finish out 2023 with a bang. At 22-9, OKC is off to their best start of the season since 2014 when they started 28-9. The Thunder went on to win 59 games that season before falling to the Spurs 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals. OKC is now 2nd in the Western Conference standings, and at this juncture in the season, it’s safe to say that expectations are on the rise for this young Thunder squad.
OKC kicks off 2024 with a big interconference showdown as they host the East’s top team in the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are winners of 6 straight and 12 of their last 13 as they sit at 26-6 on the season. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston is a team that has been on the cusp of an NBA championship for a few seasons now, and they seem poised as ever to see that goal achieved.
Despite the impressive run, the Celtics have shown their weaknesses at times, like playing down to the level of their opponents. On paper, Boston is the better team, but OKC doesn’t seem to be too far behind. If the Celtics show any weakness at all, the Thunder may smell blood and take advantage of the opportunity. Either way, fans can expect a slugfest in Oklahoma City to open up 2024.
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, Boston Celtics Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Boston Celtics
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Derrick White
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Jayson Tatum
- C: Kristaps Porzingis
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).
Celtics
- JD Davison is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Drew Peterson is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Jordan Walsh is OUT (G League — on assignment).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 15-15 against the Celtics (6-9 at home, 9-6 on the road).
- The Thunder has won the season series with the Celtics 4 times, lost it 4 times, and tied 7 times.
- The Thunder went 1-1 against the Celtics last season (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).