The Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) head south a few hours on Wednesday night to face the Dallas Mavericks (2-2). The Thunder are playing their 3rd game in 5 nights, but the Mavericks are playing their 4th game in 6 nights. Neither team has a clean bill of health, so the expectation is a close game.
The Thunder are off to a hot start in the win column, but the injury bug has turned into something more like an injury monster. Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace are likely done for the season, Alex Caruso is probably out for a couple of weeks with a sprained ankle, Chet Holmgren is dealing with some knee issues, and now Ajay Mitchell might be out tonight. Still, OKC has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and that counts for a lot.
The Mavericks aren’t dealing with as many injuries, but they’re not as deep as OKC either. Kyrie Irving and Naji Marshall are both questionable, and their status could have a major swing on this game.
Injuries are part of the game, unfortunately, and even though it is early in the season, teams have to figure out ways to win in spite of key players sitting out. The Thunder have been known for their depth for a couple of seasons now, so this is a great opportunity for them to flex that strength while also giving the end of the bench young guys a chance to make a name for themselves.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas, Texas)
Television: ESPN, Thunder+, KSBI OKC & KQCW Tulsa
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, Dallas Mavericks Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Jared McCain
- SF: Ajay Mitchell
- PF: Kenrich Williams
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Mavericks
- PG: Kyrie Irving
- SG: Max Christie
- SF: Cooper Flagg
- PF: P.J. Washington
- C: Daniel Gafford
Injury Report
Thunder
- Alex Caruso (sprained right ankle) is OUT.
- Chet Holmgren (right knee patellar tendinitis) is OUT.
- Ajay Mitchell (sprained right ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Thomas Sorber (right knee surgery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (low back surgery) is OUT.
- Cason Wallace (left shoulder labral tear) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (left ankle fracture) is OUT.
Mavericks
- Santi Aldama (right knee surgery) is OUT.
- Tarik Biberovic (right heel bursitis) is OUT.
- Sergio de Larrea (sprained right knee) is OUT.
- Kyrie Irving (left knee injury management) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery) is OUT.
- Naji Marshall (illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Caleb Martin (sprained right thumb) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder are 34-29 against the Mavericks in the regular season (19-13 at home, 15-16 on the road) and 11-9 in the playoffs (5-5 at home, 6-4 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder have won the season series against the Mavericks 7 times, lost 8 times, and tied 3 times.
- The Thunder went 3-0 against the Mavericks last season (1-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).