Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try his hand at making history on Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Boston Celtics. SGA has scored 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, which ties him with Wilt Chamberlain, and barring some disaster, he should be able to move into first.
Even with the excitement of a monumental individual achievement, the true focus for this team is always on the bigger picture. Playing a big team on a national stage brings plenty of attention. When you’re the reigning NBA champions with the best record in the league, you’re playing with a target on your back. With just 16 games remaining and a slim lead over the Spurs for the top spot in the West, every game counts for the Thunder, and beating quality opponents ahead of the playoffs does a lot for your mental prep.
After missing a couple of games each, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are back in action tonight, but Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein both remain out. If the Thunder can get completely healthy by the start of the postseason, it’s hard to see anything but them repeating as champs. Even if they don’t have everyone, though, OKC’s depth has carried them in many situations, sometimes for complete games. Boston might be able to go point-for-point when both teams have starters on the floor tonight, but it sure feels like the Thunder’s depth will be the key to success.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: NBA on Prime Video
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: Isaiah Joe
- SF: Cason Wallace
- PF: Luguentz Dort
- C: Chet Holmgren
Celtics
- PG: Derrick White
- SG: Baylor Scheierman
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Sam Hauser
- C: Neemias Queta
Injury Report
Thunder
- Branden Carlson (strained lower back) is OUT.
- Isaiah Hartenstein (left calf contusion) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (G League — on assignment) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring) is OUT.
Celtics
- Payton Pritchard (neck spasms) is AVAILABLE.
- Baylor Scheierman (fractured left thumb) is AVAILABLE.
- Jayson Tatum (right Achilles injury management) is OUT.
- John Tonje (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Nikola Vucevic (fractured right ring finger) is OUT.
- Derrick White (right knee contusion) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-16 against the Celtics (8-9 at home, 10-7 on the road).
- The Thunder have won the season series with the Celtics 5 times, lost it 4 times, and tied 8 times.
- The Thunder went 2-0 against the Celtics last season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).