Merry Christmas, Thunder fans!
Just two days ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the San Antonio Spurs for the second time in 10 days. Now a third meeting is in order as the Thunder plays in their first Christmas Day game since 2018, making it the first time for this iteration of the Thunder to play on Christmas Day.
Tuesday’s matchup was a battle for three quarters, but the Spurs took over in the fourth, turning it into a blowout. The result marked OKC’s third loss in five games, and for the first time all season, the Thunder looks vulnerable. The Spurs, on the other hand, have worked their way into contender talks, and it’s happened with Victor Wembanyama on a minutes restriction.
Don’t count on this game to look like the last one, though. The Thunder are undefeated at home, defeating opponents by an average margin of 19.3 points. They’re not likely to do that against the Spurs today, but don’t be surprised if they come out of the gate swinging. It can be difficult to get up for all 82 regular-season games, but this one feels like it’s got something extra added to it, and not just because it’s Christmas Day.
The Thunder and the Spurs have been rivals at different points over the years, but OKC has been the more successful team in recent seasons, with San Antonio just a couple of years behind in terms of a rebuild. Based on the two games already played between the two this season, the Spurs look like they have quickly caught up, but today marks an opportunity for the Thunder to remind everyone that not only are they the reigning NBA champions, but they are the favorite to win it all again.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been as consistent as they come, even in defeat, but he’s going to need some help if OKC wants to remain the team that everyone has to catch up to in the standings. Since returning from injury, Jalen Williams hasn’t quite played up to his NBA Finals standard, but perhaps it would be quite the Christmas gift for him to play towards his ceiling and give SGA the backup that may be necessary to beat the Spurs.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 1:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: NBA on ABC
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, San Antonio Spurs Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Jalen Williams
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Spurs
- PG: De’Aaron Fox
- SG: Stephon Castle
- SF: Devin Vassell
- PF: Harrison Barnes
- C: Luke Kornet
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng (strained right calf) is OUT.
- Ajay Mitchell (concussion protocol) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) is OUT.
Spurs
- Harrison Ingram (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- David Jones Garcia (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Stanley Umude (G League — two-way) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 30-32 against the Spurs in the regular season (20-10 at home, 10-21 away, 0-1 at neutral location) and 10-8 against them in the playoffs (7-2 at home, 3-6 away).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have won the season series with the Spurs 5 times, lost 7 times, and tied 5 times.
- The Thunder went 2-1 against the Spurs last season (1-0 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- OKC is 0-2 against the Spurs so far this season (0-0 at home, 0-1 on the road, and 0-1 at neutral location).