Thunderous Intentions
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OKC Thunder – Clippers preview: the exception to the tank rule

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Paul George (13) dribbles the ball down vs. OKC Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Paul George (13) dribbles the ball down vs. OKC Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports /
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OKC Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder in action . (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Clippers projected starting lineup:

If Serge Ibaka or Marcus Morris were healthy the starting rotation would likely shift but the lineup they used on Friday versus the Blazers was:

  • Eric Bledsoe – point guard
  • Reggie Jackson – shooting guard
  • Paul George – small forward
  • Nicolas Batum – power forward
  • Ivica Zubac – center

Clippers Injuries:

  • Serge Ibaka (back) is listed as day-to-day but has yet to play this season.
  • Marcus Morris (knee) missed Friday’s match and has only appeared in two games this season.
  • Keon Johnson (illness) was out Friday and is questionable for this match.
    Los Angeles Clippers
    Sat, Oct 30, 2021
    Day To Day (Illness) – Johnson did not play in Friday’s game (Oct. 29) against the Trail Blazers.
  • Jason Preston (foot surgery) will miss a significant portion of the season
  • Kawhi Leonard (ACL) had surgery in July and there is no definitive return date.

OKC Thunder projected starting lineup:

Expect the typical quartet with perhaps a tweak at center as that’s the lone position Daigneault has made tweaks this season.

OKC Thunder injuries:

No injuries.

History:

All-time these two clubs have played each other 221 times in the regular season with the Thunder possessing the139 win advantage.

Last season, the teams contested each other on three occasions with LA  taking two of three. Notably, the last game of the season was the match the Thunder won when both squads were trying to lose – – LA for seeding purposes and the Thunder for draft lottery position. That victory was arguably what sealed the Thunder’s fate in not landing one of those top three draft picks.

As noted Paul George and Reggie Jackson were tenured players with the Thunder franchise but perhaps the most famous Clipper to don the orange, white and teal was Serge Ibaka. Sam Presti drafted Ibaka 24th in 2008 (same draft class as Westbrook) and he spent his first seven seasons in OKC prior to being traded to Orlando.

And of course, the big piece of history was the infamous Paul George demand and subsequent trade that brought SGA to OKC and began the deluge of draft picks for Presti’s draft closet.

Game Specifics:

Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

Tip-off: at 9:30 p.m. Central Time (10:30 p.m. EST)

How to watch: Bally Sports Oklahoma of NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM

Lengthy goals of developing positionless roster. dark. Next

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