The Oklahoma City Thunder complete the second leg of a back-to-back tonight in downtown Oklahoma City as they welcome the Hornets to the Paycom Center. This is another awkward scheduling adversity thrown at the OKC Thunder and the rest of the NBA. As the National Basketball Association tries to give the stage to NCAA’s March Madness this week, with only one NBA game on Thursday, the tip-off to the college event of the year which features 16 games on the docket showcasing top prospects in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft.
To make room on Thursday, the NBA has to front-load the OKC Thunder schedule giving them another back-to-back after seeing one last week as well. As the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder, who sit 20-47, on a five-game losing streak, turning in a 2-8 record in their last ten contests welcome in the Hornets. The Buzz City products are clinging to a play-in spot, three and a half games up on the Washington Wizards and only five wins behind the sixth seed Cavs to avoid the play-in entirely. Though the regular season is getting late, the Hornets are on a one-game winning streak, with a 4-6 record in their last ten games.
OKC Thunder remain shorthanded as they take on the Hornets on Monday, missing multiple starters and key contributors
The Oklahoma City Thunder will miss Lu Dort, Mike Muscala, and Ty Jerome who have all been shut down for the remainder of the season due to season-ending surgeries on their shoulder, ankle, and hip respectively. Aaron Wiggins is out tonight due to a non-COVID-19 illness according to Mark Daigneault “the flu is going around.”
Josh Giddey remains sidelined with a hip injury, Derrick Favors is out with a back injury, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl continues to rehab his foot injury, and Kenrich Williams is out with a knee injury that does not have much clarity.
Mark Daigneault will start Olivier Sarr in place of Isaiah Roby tonight, joining Sarr will be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Theo Maledon, Tre Mann, and Darius Bazley.
The Hornets list James Bouknight (neck soreness), Gordon Hayward (ankle), Kai Jones (G-League), and Scottie Lewis (G-League) as out tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder.