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Thunder @ Detroit Pistons preview (Game 60 of 82)

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Alex Roig

Oklahoma City Thunder (45-14, 1st in the West) @ Detroit Pistons (42-14, 1st in the East)
When: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 at 6:30pm CST
Where: Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI
TV: ESPN / FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: DET: 116.4 (10th) / OKC: 117.6 (4th)
Defensive Rating: DET: 108.3 (2nd) / OKC: 106.1 (1st)
Net Rating: DET: 8.1 (2nd) / OKC: 11.5 (1st)
Current Streaks: DET: Lost their last game, but had won 5 in a row previous to that / OKC: Winners of 3 in a row, 5-1 in their last 6 games

The Tip-Off

I’m still buzzing a bit off of the Thunder’s last two wins. To see Cason Wallace finally start to put together a complete game and to see Isaiah Joe completely bending defenses to his will because of his floor spacing has been incredible to watch since the All-Star break. Wallace has always been viewed as a defense first guy since entering the league and for good reason. You don’t lead the league in steals and total deflections without leaving your mark on that end of the floor. But to see what he has become with OKC missing most (and on some nights, all) of their ball-handlers, has been jaw-dropping. There were times last night where Wallace was calling for the ball at the top of the key in clutch time…and making all the right decisions. The Thunder pride themselves on still being a developmental team and it’s moments like this that show us that that approach is still working.

This is the first of two REGULAR SEASON meetings between these two conference front runners. OKC swept the season series last year.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: DET -9
O/U: 220.5

Injury Report

OKC

Alex Caruso – Doubtful (ankle)
Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (calf)
Chet Holmgren – Doubtful (back spasms)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OUT (abdominal strain)
Ajay Mitchell – OUT (abdominal strain)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Jalen Williams – OUT (hamstring)

DET

Isaiah Stewart – OUT (suspension)

Three Big Things

Battle of physical defenses – Detroit plays a physical brand of basketball that would make Bill Laimbeer proud. They lead the league in steals (10.3) and blocks (6.3), while also leading the league in personal fouls (22.3). For everyone that complains about Oklahoma City’s defense being too physical, they apparently haven’t watched too many Pistons games this season. Oklahoma City usually does a good job of matching physicality with physicality, so it will be interesting if things will get chippy out there. I’m calling it: Kenrich Williams gets a tech tonight.
Scheduled loss game – Second night of a road back to back. Prioritizing injury management. The Thunder will likely get fined for sitting some players out. And yet, I feel like the Pistons could fall into a trap game here. Maybe I’m just being a prisoner of the moment, but I really like the rhythm the Thunder are currently playing with. With that said, it’s going to be extremely difficult to get over Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein likely not playing in this game.
Turnover-prone – The path to beating the Pistons tonight may be an uphill battle, but where the Thunder can make up ground is in the Pistons being turnover prone. They are 23rd in the league in turnovers per game at 15.3. And they only have one real ball-handler in Cade Cunningham. A high turnover game and a bad Cunningham night could help the Thunder in making things competitive.

Thunder @ Phoenix Suns preview (Game 55 of 82)

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Alex Roig

Oklahoma City Thunder (41-13, 1st in the West) @ Phoenix Suns (32-22, 7th in the West)
When: Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 8:00pm CST
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: PHX: 114.5 (14th) / OKC: 117.7 (4th)
Defensive Rating: PHX: 112.2 (8th) / OKC: 106.0 (1st)
Net Rating: PHX: 2.3 (10th) / OKC: 11.7 (1st)
Current Streaks: PHX: 2-3 in their last 5, 5-5 in their last 10 / OKC: 3-2 in their last 5, 5-5 in their last 10

The Tip-Off

Jalen Williams returned for the Thunder in their last game against the Los Angeles Lakers and it was a welcome sight. For most of the season, the team has had at least one of their main ball-handlers on the floor. But the injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell here recently, have thrust OKC into uncomfortable situations without any of their top-3 ball handlers. The results have been as expected: close games because of their defense, but an inability to close games out because of their offensive struggles. It was a little rough for Williams in the first three quarters of the game, as he tried to get his conditioning and rhythm back into form. He was 3/10 shooting in the first three quarters, but offset those struggles by getting to the free-throw line and hitting 7/9 free throws. But then the fourth quarter arrived, and Williams reminded us why he is commonly referred to as “4th Quarter Dub”. When Dub checked in with a little under 6 minutes to go, the Thunder were up by one and riding the seesaw of ties and lead changes. Williams used his ball-handling to get to his spots and destroy the Lakers from the mid-range. In that six-minute span, Williams went 3/6 from the field and 4/4 from the charity stripe to rack up 10 points and outlast the Lakers, 119-110. It’s amazing what having at least one ball-handler out there can do for your late-game offense.

This is the fourth of five meetings this season between the Thunder and Suns. These two teams met twice in the NBA Cup (once in group play and in the quarterfinals), with OKC winning both of those games. The Suns returned the favor early in January on a Devin Booker game-winning 3-pointer in Phoenix.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -7.5
O/U: 217.5

Injury Report

OKC

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OUT (abdominal strain)
Ajay Mitchell – OUT (abdominal strain)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (G-League assignment)

PHX

Grayson Allen – OUT (knee)
Cole Anthony – OUT (Not With Team)
Devin Booker – Questionable (ankle)
Jalen Green – Questionable (hamstring)
Isaiah Livers – OUT (shoulder)

Three Big Things

Controlling the Boards – While Phoenix may not be one of the top rebounding teams in the league, currently ranking 29th in defensive rebounds per game and 21st in total rebounds per game, they do rank 5th in offensive rebounds per game at nearly 13 per game. This then fuels their 2nd Chance Point opportunities, in which they rank 7th in the league at 16.1 points per game. Conversely, for the Thunder, while they may rank 29th in offensive rebounds per game, Phoenix gives up a lot of offensive rebounds and ranks 25th in giving up the most 2nd chance points. If Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are able to shake loose and grab some offensive rebounds, it could add another dimension to their offense that isn’t usually one of their strengths.
Looking in the Mirror – Phoenix plays a very similar defensive style to OKC. They like to pressure the ball, play physically, and get into the passing lanes. Both teams rank in the top-4 in steals per game and top-3 in points off turnovers. In addition, they are both in the top-6 in preventing fast break points. Where they differ is in protecting the paint. OKC ranks first in Opponent Points in the Paint and third in blocks per game. Conversely, while Phoenix is the 10th best team in protecting the paint, they are the 29th ranked team in blocks per game.
Jared McCain’s Early Impact – I know this is an extremely small sample size, but Jared McCain’s impact has been almost immediate when you look at line-up data. For 2-man lineups that have played over 10 minutes together, McCain is involved in the top-4 in Net Rating. The best is McCain and Cason Wallace with a net rating of +52.1 in 14 minutes. Next is McCain and Chet Holmgren with a net rating of +50.4 in 21 minutes. The McCain and Isaiah Hartenstein duo comes in at 3rd with a net rating of +45.5 in 22 minutes. And lastly, and the one I’m most excited to see playing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and/or Ajay Mitchell when they return, is McCain and Isaiah Joe, with a net rating of +41.8 in 26 minutes. Again, small sample size theater, but it’s been very entertaining to watch.

Orlando Magic vs. Thunder preview (Game 51 of 82)

Posted on February 3, 2026 by Alex Roig

Orlando Magic (25-23, 8th in the East) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-11, 1st in the West)
When: Tuesday, 03 February 2026 at 7:00pm CST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: ORL: 113.9 (16th) / OKC: 117.9 (4th)
Defensive Rating: ORL: 114.3 (15th) / OKC: 105.8 (1st)
Net Rating: ORL: -0.4 (17th) / OKC: 12.1 (1st)
Current Streaks: ORL: 2-5 in their last 7 games / OKC: 2-3 in their last 5 games

The Set-Up

The days prior to the trade deadline are always filled with equal parts angst, curiosity, and hope. The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in a position where they have multiple options. Their most tradeable piece is Ousmane Dieng and his $6.7 million dollar expiring deal. While Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams also have possible expiring contracts, their importance to this team makes trading them in-season kind of difficult. But this could also be the Thunder’s last opportunity to acquire anything of value before any big deal would need to possibly involve one of the core three. Buckle up…we have two games and a trade deadline in the next three days. Could be fun…or nerve-wracking…or quizzical…or boring.

This is the first of two meetings this season between the Thunder and Magic. Oklahoma City has won that last 4 meetings against Orlando dating back to the 2023-24 season.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -7
O/U: 219.5

Injury Report

OKC

Alex Caruso – Questionable (adductor strain)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Questionable (finger)
Isaiah Hartenstein – Questionable (calf)
Chet Holmgren – Questionable (back)
Ajay Mitchell – OUT (abdominal strain)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)
Jalen Williams – OUT (hamstring)
Jaylin Williams – Questionable (shoulder)

ORL

Colin Castleton – OUT (thumb)
Franz Wagner – OUT (ankle)

Three Big Things

Orlando’s lack of shooting – While the Desmond Bane trade went a long way to provide Orlando with a reliable three-point threat, the Magic, as a collective, still lack consistent outside shooting. They rank 25th in 3-point attempts and 3-point makes and rank 27th in 3-point percentage at 34.3%. In addition, they are also bottom 10 in the same categories for total FG’s made, attempted, and percentage. This plays into the Thunder’s defensive ethos of protecting the paint and running out to shooters on the perimeter.
Sacrificial Game – This may be a sacrificial game for the Thunder. It’s the first night of a home/road back to back. The players who have played most of the season are likely tired and suffering from general soreness (shoutout Jimmy Butler). And the players who have come back from injury recently, such as Isaiah Hartenstein, likely can only play in one of the two back to back games. With that said, the Thunder are 2-0 in games in which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sits out this season.
Win the turnover battle – Both OKC and Orlando do a good job of, not only protecting the ball (#2 and #7, respectively), but also, getting back on defense when they turn the ball over (OKC is 2nd and ORL is 4th in Opponent Points off Turnovers). Whoever wins the turnover battle, likely has an advantage in how this game goes.

Thunder @ Houston Rockets preview (Game 42 of 82)

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Alex Roig

Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7, 1st in the West) @ Houston Rockets (23-14, 6th in the West)
When: Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 6:30pm CST
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: Prime Video / FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: HOU: 120.0 (3rd) / OKC: 118.2 (5th)
Defensive Rating: HOU: 112.7 (9th) / OKC: 105.4 (1st)
Net Rating: HOU: 7.3 (2nd) / OKC: 12.8 (1st)
Current Streaks: HOU: 2-4 in their last 6 / OKC: 4 straight wins, 8-2 in last 10

The Set-Up

The second half of the season begins the same way the first half of the season did…against the Houston Rockets. After a 24-1 start to the season, the Thunder stumbled a bit in December, specifically against the San Antonio Spurs, and hit a bit of a funk. Fatigue, injuries, and the unrelenting nature of the schedule in late December and January all played a part in tiring the Thunder and making them look, dare I say, vulnerable. At the half-way point, OKC finds themselves at 34-7. The Thunder are the top team in Defensive Rating, Net Rating, Field Goals Made, Turnover Percentage (giving up the least amount of turnovers), Opponent Turnover Percentage (forcing the most turnovers), Points off Turnovers, Opponent 2nd Chance Points, Opponent Fastbreak Points, and Opponent Points in the Paint. They are 2nd in Points Per Game, Turnovers Per Game (limiting turnovers), and Opponent Effective FG% (opponents shoot 2nd worst against OKC). Ironically, for all the discourse in the NBA zeitgeist, the Thunder rank 14th in Free Throw Attempts per game.

This is the 2nd of 3 meetings this season between the Rockets and Thunder. The first game was a memorable, double-OT affair that opened up the 2025-26 NBA season. In that game, OKC won 125-124, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up 35 points and Chet Holmgren adding in 28 points.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -4.5
O/U: 222.5

Injury Report

OKC

Lu Dort – Questionable (foot)
Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (calf)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)

HOU

Tari Eason – OUT (ankle)
Dorian Finney-Smith – OUT (ankle)
Fred VanVleet – OFS (knee/ACL)

Three Big Things

Rebounding and 2nd Chance Points – The Houston Rockets are dominant on the glass this season. They rank first in Offensive Rebounds per game at 16.4, nearly 3 whole rebounds more than the 2nd place team. They also lead the league in rebounds per game at 49.1. They are also first in Offensive Rebound percentage and Rebound percentage. Due to this, they are also first in the league at 2nd Chance Points per game at 18.6. The Thunder, themselves, haven’t been slouches on the glass, ranking 5th in Defensive Rebounds per game and also being the best team at defending 2nd Chance Points per game. With that said, when you point to a weakness on the Thunder, securing those offensive rebounds, especially at critical points in the game, has been an issue. The absence of Isaiah Hartenstein (and Jaylin Williams, until he returned a couple of games ago) over the past month, has had an effect on how well the Thunder have been able to rebound the ball. A positive from this, though, is that since Jan. 29th, Chet Holmgren ranks 6th in the league with 10.1 rebounds per game.
Pace – While players like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun are great in the half-court, Houston, as a team, ranks 28th in Pace. They don’t get out and run as much as most “young” teams do. In addition, they are the 6th worst team in coughing up the ball, giving it up at a clip of 15.6 turnovers per game. If Oklahoma City is able to generate turnovers, like they usually do, and get out in transition, like they usually do, this will play greatly in their favor and may be able to offset any advantage Houston has on the boards.
Packing the Paint – While the Rockets have a top-3 offense in the league, their offensive style of play plays right into what the Thunder like to do defensively. Houston is 29th in 3-point attempts and 25th in 3-point makes. They are 3rd in percentage of points scored from 2-point range, 2nd in percentage of points scored in the mid-range, and 8th in percentage of point scored in the paint. Conversely, OKC is the best team at defending points in the paint and have a defensive ethos of defending from the paint out.

Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies preview (Game 39 of 82)

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Alex Roig

Oklahoma City Thunder (31-7, 1st in the West) @ Memphis Grizzlies (16-21, 10th in the West)
When: Friday, 09 January 2026 at 7:00pm CST
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: NBATV & FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: MEM: 112.4 (24th) / OKC: 118.0 (5th)
Defensive Rating: MEM: 114.0 (14th) / OKC: 105.0 (1st)
Net Rating: MEM: -1.6 (18th) / OKC: 13.0 (1st)
Current Streaks: MEM: 1-5 in their last 6 / OKC: 5-2 in their last 7

The Set-Up

A win is a win, right? While the way it played out may not have been what we wanted, the Thunder eventually outlasted the Jazz in overtime and won a close game. It was almost like you didn’t know how to feel about the win. Like, yeah, you won. But it was almost foreign. Jalen Williams said it best, after the Jazz game: “This is going to sound cocky, but the last 3 years we won so much that when we have a normal human stretch of losing a game or 2 that we shouldn’t have, the world freaks out.” That’s probably one of the best ways to frame it. The bar has been set so high by the Thunder that when they lose to inferior opponents or when they win a close game to a “tanking team”, the entire fanbase loses their collective shit. In addition, the team is dealing with variables that they haven’t dealt with in the past. A shortened offseason, constant injuries to key rotation pieces, a crappy schedule (again), and dealing with being every team’s SuperBowl every night. That takes a toll and I think we are seeing it now. But like any great team, it’s on OKC to weather the storm and come out prepared for those games of consequence in April, May, and hopefully, June.

This is the third and final meeting of the season between the Thunder and Grizzlies. OKC has won the first two meetings this season by an average of 15 points. Dating back to December 2022, the Thunder have won 15 straight meetings against the Grizzlies, to include the playoffs.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -5.5
O/U: 230.5

Injury Report

OKC

Alex Caruso – Questionable (back)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OUT (ankle)
Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (calf)
Chet Holmgren – OUT (shin)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)
Cason Wallace – OUT (toe)
Jaylin Williams – OUT (heel)

MEM

Brandon Clarke – OUT (calf)
Cedric Coward – Questionable (ankle)
Zach Edey – OUT (ankle)
Ty Jerome – OUT (calf)
John Konchar – Doubtful (thumb)
Ja Morant – OUT (calf)
Scotty Pippen Jr – OUT (toe)
Vince Williams Jr – Questionable (knee)

Three Big Things

Rebounding – With Isaiah Hartenstein missing the last few weeks, rebounding has been a big issue with the Thunder. Chet Holmgren tries to do what he can, as he has been averaging 8.8 rebounds since Dec. 18th, but the lack of size and physicality on the front line has put the Thunder in precarious positions in close games. The Grizzlies come into this game as one of the best rebounding teams in the league, ranking No. 3 in total rebounds (46.3 per game) and No. 7 in Rebound Percentage. The Grizzlies may be without Zach Edey in this game, but Jaren Jackson Jr, Santi Aldama, and Jock Landale all average above or close to 6 rebounds a game, with Landale racking up nearly 3 rebounds on the offensive end.
Powering through injuries – With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren both being out for the Thunder, the onus of scoring will likely fall on Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. But whether we win or lose may rest upon the so-called “others”. Part of the reason why we were able to sustain and win during this stretch last season was because Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe got hot for about a 1-2 month stretch (from January to March). A performance like that will likely be necessary for the Thunder to win a game like this one.
Cam Spencer – Yes, Cam frickin’ Spencer. I can’t believe one of my points of emphasis is Cam Spencer. For some reason, we always get cooked by shorter, seemingly unathletic, point guards. Guys like, oh, I don’t know, Pat Spencer, TJ McConnell, Jose Alvarado, etc. But there always comes a point in the game, especially if it’s close, where the Thunder clamped down, don’t bite on the cute little fakes, and eventually make players like that a liability for the opponent. But if you are missing the bulk of your good defensive players and your interior defensive anchor is out, then this may be a game where a guy like Spencer could show out.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Thunder preview (Game 26 of 82, NBA Cup Semifinals)

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Alex Roig

San Antonio Spurs (17-7, 5th in the West) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-1, 1st in the West)
When: Saturday, 13 December 2025 at 8:00pm CST
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
TV: Prime Video
Offensive Rating: SAS: 118.6 (6th) / OKC: 120.5 (5th)
Defensive Rating: SAS: 114.4 (16th) / OKC: 103.3 (1st)
Net Rating: SAS: 4.2 (8th) / OKC: 17.2 (1st)
Current Streaks: SAS: Winners of 9 of their last 12 / OKC: Winners of 16 in a row

The Set-Up

The one thing missing from the Thunder’s trophy case last season was an NBA Cup title. It was the first test for the team that eventually became the champs and they were thoroughly out-physical’ed and outplayed. And it was probably the best thing for this team moving forward. It gave them a blueprint for what to expect heading into that postseason and what to expect moving forward as a championship contender. But this year, they know what to expect. They are the more physical team, usually. They know how to win in my ways: ugly, muddy, free-throw contest, physical, track meet, etc. The Thunder know how to win in any manner and that’s likely due to losing in the NBA Cup Final last season.

This is the first of five meetings this season between what many see as future championship-contending rivals. The rebuild hibernation seems to be over for the Spurs and they are now letting their young players spread their wings and see how far they can go. The Thunder went 2-1 last season against the Spurs, with their only loss being, ironically, in group play for the NBA Cup. Of course, there were other factors in that one loss, namely being that OKC had no healthy big men in that game.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -11
O/U: 231.5

Injury Report

OKC

Isaiah Joe – OUT (knee)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)

SAS

Victor Wembanyama – Probable (calf)

Five Big Things

Different Looking Teams – Each team is coming into this game looking a bit different than what they’ve looked like lately. The Thunder are finally starting to get as healthy as they have been all season, with Isaiah Joe being the only rotational piece that will be out for this Cup semifinal. For the first time all season, the usual starting line-up of SGA, Dort, Dub, Chet, and Hartenstein has a chance to see the court together. On the other side, Victor Wembanyama is due to return from a calf strain that has kept him out since Nov. 14th. Despite all the injury setbacks, both teams have flexed their roster depth and find themselves as two of the top teams in the West, if not the NBA.
Chet vs. Wemby – God, I love a good head-to-head match-up. The NBA has been trying to build this rivalry up since Wembanyama first entered the league in 2023. Injuries and the two teams being on different timelines have kept the rivalry from flourishing. But now…now seems like the right time for this thing to bubble over. Chet and Wemby seem to have a mutual respect, but also, a mutual animosity for each other. It feels very much like a 90’s match-up where social media and cell phones didn’t really give players access to other players unless they crossed paths in the All-Star game, shared an agent, or shared a brand. And the great thing about today’s match-up is that there are stakes involved. Win or go home. And also, I’ll see you two more times in the next two weeks.
Rock Fight – While OKC may be a historic defense, the Spurs haven’t been too far behind in many statistical defensive categories. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has done a great job of developing a culture similar to the Thunder’s, where the defense is their foundation and players like Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle are the offensive engines that score the points. Even with Wemby out, the Spurs have maintained their defensive principles and been great on that side of the ball. This could end up being a low-scoring affair.
Creating Turnovers – The Spurs have three players that average over three turnovers per game. Stephon Castle (3.9), Wembanyama (3.6), and Fox (3.4) have the highest usage for the Spurs, but also the highest turnover rates. Dylan Harper averages 1.6 turnovers per game and will be facing probably the toughest he’s ever faced professionally. If the Thunder can generate their customary turnovers, it should fuel their transition offense and get them jump-started. In previous games against Wemby, the Thunder often swarm him and send doubles from different directions to keep him confused and create turnovers.
Looking in the Mirror – The Spurs are coming into this game ready to prove themselves. Ready to show that they belong in the conversation for playoff contenders/championship contenders. They are in a position very similar to where the Thunder were last season. The Spurs will be hungry. Will the Thunder be hungrier? It’s the hunter vs. hunted mentality. The Thunder have played this season like they still have something to prove.

Phoenix Suns vs. Thunder preview (Game 25 of 82, NBA Cup Quarterfinals)

Posted on December 10, 2025 by Alex Roig

Phoenix Suns (14-10, 7th in the West) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (23-1, 1st in the West)
When: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at 6:30pm CST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: Prime Video
Offensive Rating: PHX: 115.5 (12th) / OKC: 120.0 (5th)
Defensive Rating: PHX: 113.4 (12th) / OKC: 104.1 (1st)
Net Rating: PHX: 2.1 (12th) / OKC: 15.9 (1st)
Current Streaks: PHX: 2-1 in their last 3, 6-4 in their last 10 / OKC: 15 W’s in a row

The Set-Up

Chasing history. With a win tonight, the Oklahoma City Thunder will match the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best start in NBA history at 24-1. While the records would be the same, the method in which they’ve arrived have been completely different. The Warriors changed the way the game was played offensively with their dominant pace and space style. The Thunder, on the other hand, are doing this with their other-worldly defense. The similarities are pretty loud also. Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have similar impacts on their teams, while the supporting cast would be stars and starters on other teams. In addition, the coaching on both teams was top-notch and very player-driven. Now, OKC just has to go out there and do it.

This is the 2nd of (now) 5 meetings this season between the Suns and Thunder. Oklahoma City won the first meeting, which was also an NBA Cup game, by a score of 123-119. It was one of the few close games the Thunder have played recently. In that game, Jalen Williams returned to the lineup after missing the first 19 games of the season recovering from wrist surgery. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points, Chet Holmgren pitched in with 23 points and 8 rebounds, and the Thunder were able to hold off a late push from Collin Gillespie and the surprising Suns.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -14.5
O/U: 225.5

Injury Report

OKC

Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (calf)
Isaiah Joe – OUT (knee)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)

PHX

Devin Booker – Questionable (groin)
Koby Brea – Day to Day (wrist)
Jalen Green – OUT (hamstring)
Isaiah Livers – OUT (hip)

Three Big Things

SGA is back – After a one-game absence, SGA is back in the lineup. While it does seem like SGA is dealing with something with his elbow, as evidenced by the tapework he usually has on it most games, it was also a great time in the schedule to buy Shai a game of rest. Playing against the directionless Utah Jazz allowed the team to give the reins to the other two members of their core 3, and they did what they were supposed to do. SGA may not be playing major minutes when compared to other high-usage players, but getting him a game of rest here and there is tantamount to the success of this team moving forward.
2nd Chance Points – Phoenix comes into this game as the 4th best offensive rebounding team in terms of OReb%, the 6th best offensive rebounding team in terms of raw stats (nearly 13 a game), and 9th in 2nd chance points at 16 Second Chance Points per game. With Isaiah Hartenstein being out, the onus will fall on Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams to secure defensive rebounds and prevent those 2nd chance points. In their last meeting, Phoenix’s near 4th quarter comeback was spurred by 7 offensive rebounds and 9 second chance points in the final quarter.
Track Meet – Both of these teams like to create turnovers and get out in transition. The Thunder and Suns are #1 and 2, respectively, in points off turnovers. Where they differ completely is in how they defend turnovers. OKC is the #1 team in defending points off turnovers, while Phoenix is 28th in that same category. If OKC can play their game, they can win the turnover battle and the points off turnover battle.

Dallas Mavericks vs. Thunder preview (Game 23 of 82)

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Alex Roig

Dallas Mavericks (8-15, 12th in the West) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (21-1, 1st in the West)
When: Friday, 05 December 2025 at 8:30pm CST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: Prime Video
Offensive Rating: DAL: 107.6 (30th) / OKC: 119.0 (5th)
Defensive Rating: DAL: 111.3 (4th) / OKC: 103.8 (1st)
Net Rating: DAL: -3.8 (22nd) / OKC: 15.1 (1st)
Streaks: DAL: 3 W’s in a row, 5-5 in last 10 / OKC: 13 W’s in a row

The Set-Up

The decision for when to start a rebuild has to be an extremely difficult one for an organization. Sometimes, it’s self-inflicted. Sometimes, it’s thrust upon you unexpectedly. But it’s a decision fraught with potholes, pitfalls, and doubt. A decision that can set your franchise back years, possibly decades. And, yet, for most every team, it’s a decision that needs to be made once every 10-15 years. For Oklahoma City, the team knew they needed a refresh after the departure of Kevin Durant and the subsequent first round exits of the Russell Westbrook/Paul George-led teams. But that weird transitional season was also needed to get off the previous train and jump onto a new one. The season with Chris Paul, a newly acquired Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rookie Lu Dort, potential 6th Man of the Year Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams is one that lives happily in the minds of many Thunder fans, but also one that helped position the Thunder for what they currently are today.

Which brings me to the neighbors south of us, down I-35. Dallas is in a weird spot where they have some of the pieces needed to jump-start a rebuild (Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard), but also are in a holding pattern with older stars such as Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and the currently injured Kyrie Irving. They aren’t winning, but they also aren’t losing enough. These next few months before the trade deadline will be very interesting in Dallas.

This is the 2nd of 3 meetings this season between these regional rivals. OKC won the first meeting 101-94, in Dallas, in a game that saw the Thunder big men dominate on the scoreboard and on the glass. Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams combined to score 38 points and grab 30 rebounds, with 6 of those being offensive.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -15
O/U: 229.5

Injury Report

OKC

Alex Caruso – OUT (quad)
Lu Dort – OUT (adductor strain)
Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (calf)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)

DAL

Dante Exum – OFS (knee)
Daniel Gafford – Questionable (ankle)
Kyrie Irving – OUT (knee/ACL)
Dereck Lively – OUT (foot)
PJ Washington – Questionable (ankle)

Three Big Things

Ryan Nembhard – Last season, in the Finals, no players on the Indiana Pacers, outside of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakim, had more of an impact against the Thunder than Andrew Nembhard. Dallas decided to take a chance on Andrew’s younger brother, Ryan, as an undrafted free agent this past summer. And over the past four games, all starts, Ryan Nembhard has been balling out and leading the Mavericks to a 3-1 record over that stretch. Nembhard has been averaging 17 points, 7.5 assists to 1.3 turnovers, and shooting an absurd 65% from the field and 67% from three over that 4-game stretch. The one game where he did struggle during that 4-game stretch was against the Los Angeles Clippers, who have big rangy defenders like Kris Dunn who can make life difficult for a smaller point guard. With Dort and Alex Caruso out, that onus will fall on Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.
Comfortable Dub – The more games Jalen Williams gets under his belt, the more comfortable and in rhythm he gets. He hit the 20 point mark in their last game against the Warriors, scoring 22 points. His playmaking has been in mid-season form, as he’s averaging over 6 assists per game in his first 3 games. And his shooting percentage was above 50% for the first time this season in their last game. Everyone is asking whether the Thunder should throw their hat into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstake, but honestly, Dub coming back may be their important “acquisition” this season.
Upset Potential – The Mavericks are coming into this game the hottest they’ve been all season. They are riding a 3-game winning streak, Nembhard, Cooper Flagg, and Anthony Davis are all balling out, and Dallas’ defense has been consistent. You can almost always throw records out when it comes to regional rivalries and the Thunder have the biggest target on their back this season. OKC has been a little unfocused over the past few games and if that continues, it could come back to bite them in the butt this game.

Phoenix Suns vs. Thunder preview (Game 20 of 82, NBA Cup Game #4)

Posted on November 28, 2025 by Alex Roig

Phoenix Suns (12-7, 6th in the West) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-1, 1st in the West)
When: Friday, 28 November 2025 at 8:30pm CST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Offensive Rating: PHX: 115.8 (12th) / OKC: 119.3 (4th)
Defensive Rating: PHX: 112.1 (9th) / OKC: 102.9 (1st)
Net Rating: PHX: 3.7 (13th) / OKC: 16.4 (1st)

The Set-Up

This is what the NBA wanted when it set up groupings to determine who would head into the NBA Cup Tournament. Both the Thunder and Suns come into this game undefeated in Cup play. The winner definitely advances into the tournament, while the loser has to hope that other variables fall into place. It’s the ultimate “you decide your own fate” scenario. For the Thunder, while they may tell you that it’s just another game, the truth is likely that they want to avenge the only thing they didn’t get last season, the Cup championship.

This is the first of four meetings this season between Oklahoma City and Phoenix. The Thunder swept the season series 3-0, with an average margin of victory of 20 points.

Betting Info, presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -14.5
O/U: 223.5

Injury Report

OKC

Isaiah Hartenstein – OUT (ankle)
Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)
Aaron Wiggins – OUT (adductor strain)

PHX

Grayson Allen – OUT (quad)
Ryan Dunn – OUT (wrist)
Jalen Green – OUT (hamstring)
Isaiah Livers – OUT (hip)

Three Big Things

Dub is back – Jalen Williams, who was a 3rd Team All-NBA and 2nd Team All-Defense player last season, was a key part to the Thunder’s championship run last season. Near the end of the regular season last year, Williams suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist. That he played through (and excelled, at points), is a miracle. But he did and accomplished what he and the team wanted to at the end of the season. With that, came surgery in the offseason. As surgeries usually go, there was some hiccups here and there with surgical hardware and what not. But, now, 20 games into the season, Dub makes his debut for a team that is currently 18-1 and on a torrid pace through the season.
Possible chemistry issues – The fear, when a team is humming, is to introduce a big component that may disrupt that chemistry that has formed in the first 19 games of the season. Am I worried about this? No, I’m not. Is it a possibility? Of course. But as adaptable as this team is, the inclusion of an All-NBA and All-Defense player likely isn’t going to be something that trips them up. Especially, when everybody on this team understands their role and their location on the hierarchy.
Strengths and Weaknesses – With Isaiah Hartenstein out, that puts more onus on Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams to secure the defensive glass. Phoenix is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the league and that fuels them being a top-10 team in second chance points. But, Phoenix is a team that turnovers the ball over a ton (16.6 a game, 26th in the league) and their turnover percentage is even worse (29th in the league). Turnovers lead to points off of turnovers, where Phoenix is the 2nd worst team at defending points off turnovers and Oklahoma City city is the best at scoring off of turnovers.

Sacramento Kings vs. Thunder preview (Game 16 of 82)

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Alex Roig

Oklahoma City Thunder (14-1, 1st in the West) at Sacramento Kings (3-11, 14th in the West)
When: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 7:00pm CST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: FDSN-OK
Offensive Rating: SAC: 109.8 (25th) / OKC: 118.7 (4th)
Defensive Rating: SAC: 120.4 (27th) / OKC: 103.2 (1st)
Net Rating: SAC: -10.6 (26th) / OKC: 15.5 (1st)

The Set-Up

In the last preview for these two teams, I essentially wrote a eulogy for Russell Westbrook’s career. The Thunder were playing at home and this was one of two possible games the Thunder faithful had to watch Westbrook ball out in person. Due to how late in the offseason it took for Sacramento to sign Westbrook and the lack of offers from other teams, it felt like we were closing in on the swan song of Westbrook’s career. Westbrook doesn’t strike as the kind of player that would announce a farewell tour. Instead, he feels like the kind of player that either retires in the offseason without warning, plays until the wheels fall off, or goes silently into the night if no team in the league shows interest in him.

With how he played in the first few games of the season, I thought we were in the “wheels are falling off” timeline. But since the first of November, Westbrook has been averaging 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.9 assist, and nearly 1 steal a game, with 44/38.5/73 shooting split. Nothing terribly impressive, but also nothing to where you are shoveling dirt onto a body. There is still an NBA player there, so maybe we may get another season or two of Westbrook visits to OKC. Or, honestly, this may be the last visit as an NBA player. So enjoy it. Cheer him when he’s announced and appreciate everything he’s done for OKC.

This is the 3rd and final meeting of the season between these two teams. Oklahoma City won the first meeting 107-101. After being down for most of that game, the Thunder used a 17-4 run in the final 6 minutes of the game to secure the victory. Then, the Thunder shellacked the Kings in Sacramento 132-101 in the Thunder’s first NBA Cup game.

Betting Info presented by FanDuel

Line: OKC -18.5
O/U: 231.5

Injury Report

OKC

Thomas Sorber – OFS (knee/ACL)
Nikola Topic – OUT (cancer treatment)
Aaron Wiggins – OUT (adductor strain)
Jalen Williams – OUT (wrist)
Kenrich Williams – OUT (knee)

SAC

Keegan Murray – OUT (thumb)
Domantas Sabonis – OUT (knee)

Three Big Things

Monster Hart – The last time these two teams played, Hartenstein scored a career-high 33 points to go along with 19 rebounds. Part of that was due to the fact that Domantas Sabonis was out that game. While we would never mistake Sabonis for being a defensive stud, we also know that he’s big enough to at least contend with Hartenstein and keep him relatively in check. The husk that is Drew Eubanks and rookie Maxime Raynaud were no match to Hart. And that same scenario plays out today with Sabonis being out.
Perimeter Defense – Sacramento’s one saving grace is that they are top-10 in 3pt percentage. But in true Kangz fashion, they are 29th in 3-point attempts. In their first meeting of the season, the Kings started the game off by shooting 6-14 from 3 in the first half, buoyed by an unfathomable 3-4 shooting performance from deep for Westbrook. That shooting variance changed in the 2nd half and allowed OKC to get back in the game and eventually win. About the only chance Sacramento has in this game is in hoping for that kind of positive shot variance for an entire 48 minutes.
4th quarters – Another game, another opportunity to rest players at the end of game. Don’t discount this when the Thunder are playing deep into May and June. These moments of respite will come in handy as the season progresses and gets more difficult.