The Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly escape New York with a win against the Knicks on Sunday after being down by 10 to start the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a shot with just under two seconds left in the game to put the Thunder on top 113-112, and Jalen Brunson was unable to seal the game at the buzzer, giving OKC the win. The Thunder continue their 5-game road trip tonight in Philadelphia as they take on the 76ers.
Both the Thunder and the 76ers have quite a few bodies on the most recent injury report, but it’s difficult to tell who will actually play at this point. SGA (right thigh contusion) and Jalen Williams (sprained left ankle) are questionable, but I would expect them both to play. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is listed as out, as he has been for the last two months due to a meniscus procedure, but it is possible he could make his return. Tyrese Maxey is also listed as questionable for the 76ers with hip tightness, and De’Anthony Melton—a starter for Philadelphia—is out.
Regardless of who plays, the game has major playoff implications for both teams. OKC has sealed their fate in the top 6 in the West, and they currently sit atop the Western Conference standings just a half-game ahead of the Denver Nuggets and a full game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the East, the Sixers have struggled in Embiid’s absence, winning just 11 of 30 games. They are currently in 8th place—2.5 games behind the 6th place Indiana Pacers—and looking to regain some ground as the last couple weeks of the season finish up.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
Location: Wells Fargo 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, Philadelphia 76ers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Sixers
- PG: Tyrese Maxey
- SG: Kyle Lowry
- SF: Kelly Oubre
- PF: Tobias Harris
- C: Mo Bamba
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Adam Flagler is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is QUESTIONABLE (right quad contusion).
- Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Olivier Sarr is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Lindy Waters III is QUESTIONABLE (G League — on assignment).
- Jalen Williams is QUESTIONABLE (sprained left ankle).
Sixers
- Ricky Council IV is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Robert Covington is OUT (bone bruise in left knee).
- Jeff Dowtin Jr. is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Joel Embiid is OUT (meniscus procedure in left knee).
- Tyrese Maxey is QUESTIONABLE (left hip tightness).
- De’Anthony Melton is OUT (lumbar spine bone stress).
- Terquavion Smith is OUT (G League — two-way).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder are 21-8 against the Sixers (10-4 at home, 10-5 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder have won the season series against the Sixers 9 times, lost it twice, and tied 4 times.
- The Thunder tied with the 76ers 1-1 last season (0-1 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder are 0-1 against the 76ers so far this season (0-1 at home, 0-0 on the road).
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