Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #53 Preview: Sacramento Kings

The Oklahoma City Thunder took on the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Saturday afternoon, but the Thunder didn’t look like ever really showed up. After a rough three quarters for OKC, Dallas was able to completely pull away for a 146-111 defeat of the Thunder.

Now the Thunder hosts the Sacramento Kings in the second game of a back-to-back, and for just the sixth time this season, OKC has lost consecutive games with the risk of losing a third on the line. All season long, the Thunder has rebounded with a win in that third game to pick up a win, and they have a tall task today in the Kings.

In the previous two meetings thus far this season, Sacramento has controlled the rebounding aspect of the game, and it’s made all the difference in a couple of single-digit victories over OKC. The Thunder has a chance to play the Kings on their home court now, however, and the crowd might be just what the doctor ordered to get things turned around.

Game Details

Tip-Off: 2 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 NotesOklahoma City Thunder Official Game NotesSacramento Kings Official Game Notes

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG: Josh Giddey
  • SF: Luguentz Dort
  • PF: Jalen Williams
  • C: Chet Holmgren

Kings

  • PG: De’Aaron Fox
  • SG: Kevin Huerter
  • SF: Harrison Barnes
  • PF: Keegan Murray
  • C: Domantas Sabonis

Injury Report

Thunder

  • Bismack Biyombo is OUT (not with team).
  • Gordon Hayward is OUT (strained left calf).
  • Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).

Kings

  • Chris Duarte is OUT (sprained right ankle).
  • Jordan Ford is OUT (G League — two-way).
  • Mason Jones is OUT (G League — two-way).
  • Jalen Slawson is OUT (G League — two-way).
  • Sasha Vezenkov is OUT (sprained right ankle).

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 33-23 against the Kings (19-7 at home, 14-16 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 0-3 against the Kings last season (0-2 at home, 0-1 on the road).
  • The Thunder is 0-2 against the Kings so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-2 on the road).

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