OKC Thunder start Paul Watson Jr, Isaiah Roby vs Kings

The OKC Thunder have been hit hard by COVID-19 since Sunday Night, as the Oklahoma City Thunder now place Darius Bazley, Tre Mann, Derrick Favors, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Josh Giddey, Aleksej Pokusevski, Mark Daigneault, assistant coaches Dave Bliss, Eric Maynor, and Conner Johnson in the NBA Health and Safety Protocols. Add injured rookie wing Vit Krejci, who suffered a right ankle sprain during the Championship game of the NBA G-League Showcase Cup for the OKC Blue, as out against the Kings as well.

The OKC Thunder turn to the former-Thunder player, scout, now assistant coach, and now acting head coach Mike Wilks to lead this Oklahoma City Thunder squad that features 13 active players thanks to the addition of three 10-day contracts in the form of Scotty Hopson, Olivier Sarr, and Rob Edwards.

Mike Wilks names OKC Thunder starting lineup against Sacramento Kings

The Oklahoma City Thunder will roll out yet another version of their starting lineup, joining the two staples Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort is Aaron Wiggins, Paul Watson Jr, and Isaiah Roby in the middle. This is a surprise to many as Paul Watson Jr has only played in five games so far with Oklahoma City since signing his two-way deal this offseason bumping Josh Hall out of that slot. A fun early Birthday present for Watson who turns 27 on Thursday.

Aaron Wiggins, Waton’s fellow two-way mate, is making his sixth start in 14 games as the 55th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has made a great first impression on the OKC Thunder brass and fanbase thus far. The Maryland product was one of the biggest reasons the Thunder knocked off the Pelicans on Sunday.

With Isaiah Roby anchoring the lineup the questions start flying as to why veterans like Mike Muscala or Kenrich Williams can not crack the first five over Roby and Watson. Mike Wilks explained with the amount of turnover this roster has seen since Sunday, they want to keep as much continuity as possible.

This move also helps elongate the team’s depth, as Muscala and Williams will help the shorthanded bench unit thrive. Wilks will almost certainly close with a different lineup if this game hangs in the balance late in the fourth quarter.