OKC Thunder 3 keys: Steven Adams and Pelicans round 3.0

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) asks for a foul call in the fourth quarter against the OKC Thunder: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

OKC Thunder versus New Orleans Pelicans game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 27-35
• Pelicans: 21-41

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena

Tipoff:  9:00 PM ET  | 8:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Injuries:

Since New Orleans played on Wednesday their injury report had not been submitted yet, so the list below is based on who was out on Wednesday. Also, Lu Dort isn’t on the Thunder list but as we’ve seen that doesn’t mean now that the Thunder stopped the losing streak he won’t be held out again.

Thunder:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains out with plantar fasciitis
• Al Horford has been shut down for the season.
• Mike Muscala, ankle injury remains out.
• Josh Hall remains out with knee soreness.
• Gabriel Deck hasn’t joined the team. 

Pelicans:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 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

• Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Shai’s cousin) is out with a high left ankle sprain
• Josh Hart is out after undergoing right thumb surgery
• Silva Louzada is not with the team

Notably, Steven Adams (toe) and James Johnson ( strained adductor) returned to the Pelicans lineup on Wednesday but Adams was visibly far from 100 percent and Johnson (who is on a minutes restriction) played under eight minutes.

History:

The Thunder and Pelicans meet for the third and final time this season. Each club has won a game in matches that occurred so long ago New Orleans will likely be asking each other who half the players are on the Thunder. New Orleans won the first contest 113-80 while OKC won the second match on January 6th by a single point (111-110).

With the franchises both being on the younger side of the 30 teams in the association they’ve only played 63 times all-time with the Thunder holding the advantage 37 to 26.