The Oklahoma City Thunder (2-0) experienced the unthinkable as they were pressed into a second straight double-overtime game on Thursday night against the Indiana Pacers. The Thunder survived—winning 141-135—but it would serve them well to figure out how to take care of business in regulation, at least until the team is fully healthy and everyone is back.
The Thunder continues their current road trip tonight as they take on Trae Young and the Hawks (1-1) in Atlanta. The Hawks are fresh off a 111-107 road victory over the Orlando Magic. Atlanta is known for playing a fast-paced style of basketball—putting up a lot of shots and a lot of points—while not playing a great brand of defense, but Dyson Daniels has emerged as one of the league’s top defenders, and several other guys on the roster are playing solid team defense as well.
Oklahoma City’s injury report is as long as it has been in the last couple of seasons, but they have the depth to handle the issue. Tonight marks OKC’s third game in 5 days, but they have a busy schedule ahead as well with a doubleheader starting on Monday. Hopefully the Thunder can avoid another double overtime so the guys can get a little rest.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)
Television: NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network 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, Atlanta Hawks Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Cason Wallace
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Hawks
- PG: Trae Young
- SG: Dyson Daniels
- SF: Zaccharie Rissacher
- PF: Jalen Johnson
- C: Kristaps Porzingis
Injury Report
Thunder
- Alex Caruso (concussion protocol) is OUT.
- Chet Holmgren (lower back soreness) is AVAILABLE.
- Isaiah Joe (left knee contusion) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Cason Wallace (sprained left knee) is AVAILABLE.
- Jalen Williams (right wrist surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Kenrich Williams (left knee surgical recovery) is OUT.
Hawks
- Jalen Johnson (sprained right ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Kristaps Porzingis (flu-like symptoms) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Zaccharie Rissacher (sprained right ankle) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 19-13 against the Hawks (11-5 at home, 8-8 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Hawks 6 times, lost it 3 times, and tied 8 times.
- The Thunder went 2-0 against the Hawks last season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).