The OKC Thunder are back in action in downtown Oklahoma City as the Thunder welcome the Dallas Mavericks to the Paycom Center for a Sunday evening tilt. The Bricktown Boys will be shorthanded yet again as the Mavericks get back their superstar.
Tonight’s contest will tip-off at 6 p.m. local time as the OKC Thunder will miss Darius Bazley, Tre Mann, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl who are all still in the league’s health and safety protocols. This will be the first game back for rookie guard Josh Giddey after he spent the week in COVID-19 NBA Health and Safety protocols. As of now, it appears the organization will still be without head coach Mark Daigneault and their top assistant coach Dave Bliss.
OKC Thunder see Luka Doncic return to the Dallas Mavericks
On top of missing a few key contributors to the COVID protocols, the Oklahoma City Thunder will also miss Vit Krejci (G-Leauge assignment, Right ankle sprain) and list Lu Dort (knee soreness) as questionable for tonight’s tilt against the Mavericks.
As the OKC Thunder gets Josh Giddey back, it is almost like the classic “one step forward two steps back” as the team has missed having an additional playmaker on the floor next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but as Giddey returns, SGA exits stage left for presumably six days at least. Without Dort or Gilgeous-Alexander, the OKC offense could look…interesting.
The Dallas Mavericks list Kristaps Porzingis as doubtful as they are likely to rest the big man with Luka Doncic back after previously being in the health and safety protocols. The Mavs still miss Trey Burke, Brandon Knight, Boban Marjanovic, and JaQuor McLaughlin to the league’s protocols. Willie Cauley-Stein is out due to personal reasons while Frank Ntilikina is tabbed as questionable with a thigh injury.
Later in the day before tip-off, we will head from the OKC Thunder regarding starting lineups, who is available on the coaching staff, and if any other player clears protocols.