OKC Thunder: With Maledon out, prepare for the POKU show vs. Kings

For the final time this season, the OKC Thunder will tip-off versus the Sacramento Kings. While it would be easy to say there is nothing on the line for the clubs that’s not necessarily true. OKC is invested in losing to ensure the best possible position in the draft lottery.

As Intentions noted in our recent article the Thunder have moved into the prime position but could find themselves in an odd game of coin-flipping if there isn’t movement this week by their counterparts.

As for the Kings, they are equally invested — in winning. The odds aren’t in their favor but if the Kings can win all of their remaining games and the Spurs lose all their remaining games Sacramento could grab the 10th spot for the play-in tournament. Of course, the Pelicans will also have to play along but without Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram, it seems unlikely they’ll be the hurdle. Either way,  it works to the advantage of OKC since the teams’ opposing motivations should equate to another Thunder loss.

OKC Thunder versus  Sacramento Kings – Maledon joins list of walking wounded

The big news for the Thunder is rookie point guard Theo Maledon is out with what the NBA injury report is listing as plantar fasciitis. Yeah — you read that correctly, the same injury that has sidelined cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander since the end of March and 26 consecutive games.

The only difference is SGA’s injury is to his right foot and Maledon’s is to his left foot. It begs the question if there is something up with the hardcourt at Chesapeake. In my years of covering the NBA, I’ve never heard of two players on the same team dealing with plantar fasciitis simultaneously.

This injury update is likely why Luguentz Dort is still considered a possible participant on Tuesday. Likewise, Ty Jerome has been upgraded to questionable after missing the last two matches with a calf strain.

If neither Dort or Jerome can play that makes for an extremely thin backcourt. When the OKC Thunder stated they would go all-in on using a positionless strategy I’m not sure this is what Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault had in mind.

What it does likely mean is Thunder Nation will get a full helping of Aleksej Pokusevski running the point. That in itself is worth the price of admission. The 19-year-old has provided plenty of special moments this season and while still a work in progress there’s no denying the raw talent.

Here’s hoping POKU puts on a show with this opportunity.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 21-48
• Kings: 30-38

The Venue: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA.

Tipoff:  10:00 PM ET  | 9:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Injuries:

As per the NBA injury report the following is the list of players provided by the Thunder and Kings who won’t suit up Tuesday or are questionable. Lu Dort remains on the questionable list and the only reason it would seem likely Mark Daigneault would consider playing him is the revelation of Maledon being out.

OKC Thunder:

• Luguentz Dort is questionable with right knee patellar tendinitis
• Ty Jerome missed the last two games with a left calf sprain and is also questionable
• Theo Maledon is out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – plantar fasciitis in his right foot will amount to his 26th missed game.
• Mike Muscala is out still with a sprained ankle
• Al Horford has been shut down for the season as a healthy scratch.

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

Kings:

• Tyrese Haliburton – knee hyperextension – is done for the rest of the season.
• De’Aaron Fox will miss his 10th consecutive game due to health and safety protocols
• Harrison Barnes is the lone player on the list who may return (adductor tightness)
• Robert Woodard II – lower back soreness is out Tuesday.

History:

In a strange turn of scheduling, the Kings and OKC Thunder are playing all three games of this season in one week. The Kings won both prior games on May 4th (103-99) and on May 9th (126-98).

All-time the squads have played 240 times with the Thunder winning 148 times to the Kings 92 victories.  Last season the clubs played three times as well with Sacramento winning the series two games to one.