OKC Thunder seeks to end two streaks with win versus Wizards

For the second time this week, the OKC Thunder will face the Washington Wizards. In the first match on Monday, the Thunder were playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road and missing more than the typical core producers as Luguentz Dort was out what a hip strain.

OKC battled but lost 107-119 and with another loss versus the Pacers on Wednesday have extended their losing streak to 12 games in a row.  Two more losses by this iteration of the Thunder will tie the longest losing streak in franchise history of 14 occurring in the inaugural 2008-09 season.

That unsavory record is within reach given the Celtics and 76ers are next on the itinerary. Of that trio, the Wizards are arguably the easiest to defeat. Albeit, Washington enters on a six-game winning streak having beaten the Warriors since playing OKC.

OKC Thunder face Wizards for second time this week:

With their winning streak extended to six, the Wizards have climbed into the 10th seed and have designs on ensuring their participation in the postseason.

It’s not all positives for the Wizards. In that most recent victory, Wizards rookie Deni Avdija who had become a pivotal contributor suffered a gruesome ankle fracture that will cost him the rest of the season.

If the Thunder are to end the losing streak it could depend on whether Luguentz Dort plays since he’ll be tasked with guarding one or both of the Wizards superstar guards.

Favorite son Russell Westbrook returns to Chesapeake for the first time with the Wizards. Much like he did during his 11 seasons in OKC, the Brodie is bringing an all-out effort to the hardwood every night.

Russ is on pace to set another historic record that is arguably the most prestigious of the individual benchmarks. With 173 career triple-doubles, he needs eight more to tie Oscar Robertson and nine to surpass the 181 achieved by the Big O.

On Monday, he collected another with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 17 assists.  Against the Warriors, he registered another with 14 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Including tonight, Washington has 14 games left to play. Westbrook has registered 13 triple-doubles in the Wizards’ last 15 games so the record is definitely within reach this season.

His backcourt partner Bradley Beal is also waging a battle with Stephen Curry for the scoring title. Curry had pulled ahead but ironically had a poor shooting night versus the Wizards while Beal outscored him by 11 points to reclaim the lead.

Darius Bazley had a career-best scoring night versus the Wizards and Tony Bradley also had a strong performance.

While the Thunder seeks to tank it’s also not wise to allow the team to get accustomed to constantly losing. It’s simply not great for morale or a habit the team wants to establish. Even getting one win and going on another losing streak is preferable to just continuing to lose.

As of posting, Dort is listed as questionable and as much as one player doesn’t win a game his presence would be a huge factor to help limit Westbrook and Beal. Moreover, it would offer another scoring option to Bazley and Svi Mykhailiuk.

The Wizards are not a strong defensive squad and while they are winning five of their six wins came against sub .500 teams.

Game Specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 20-39
• Wizards: 25-33

The Venue:  Chesapeake Energy Arena

Tipoff:  8:00 PM ET  | 7:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Injuries:

As per the NBA injury report …

OKC Thunder:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to remain out with plantar fasciitis
• Luguentz Dort missed Wednesday’s match with a hip strain and is listed as questionable.
• Mike Muscala (ankle) is out.
• Josh Hall is in the concussion protocol program.
• Aleksej Pokusevski played five minutes on Wednesday leaving the game with an illness but is expected to play Friday.
• Gabriel Deck still hasn’t joined the team.

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Wizards:

• As noted above, rookie Deni Avdija suffered a fractured ankle in the match Wednesday and will be lost for the season.
• Rui Hachimura had to leave the Wizards game last Saturday and hasn’t played since as he deals with soreness in his left knee. He won’t play Friday.
• Thomas Bryant is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

History:

This is the second and final meeting between the OKC Thunder and Washington Wizards this season. The initial game took place on the road with Washington winning 119-107.

Over their history, the teams have played a total of 138 times with OKC holding the advantage of winning 74 times versus the Wizards 64 victories. In the 2019-20 season the clubs split their two meetings.