1 week Ago By Brody Bitters
The past couple of games for the Oklahoma City Thunder have not gone has planned. With a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday and then the Spurs on Tuesday, the Thunder now find themselves in second place in the Western Conference. While much of their difficulties have been due to their lack of center play , OKC travels back to Loud City in hopes of obtaining a victory against a somewhat lackluster team.
Time and Location The OKC Thunder will be back at home in the Paycom Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers tonight, Nov. 20, at 8:00 PM EST/7:00PM CDT and on FanDuel Sports Network - Oklahoma Lineups For the Thunder, here is what their potential lineup will look like for tonight's game: Position: Name: Number: Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2 Shooting Guard Cason Wallace 22 Small Forward Lu Dort 5 Power Foward Aaron Wiggins 21 Center Jalen Williams 8 As for the Blazers, here is how they will potentially stack up against the Thunder: Position: Name: Number: Point Guard Scoot Henderson 00 Shooting Guard Shaedon Sharpe 17 Small Forward Jerami Grant 9 Power Forward Toumani Camara 33 Center Donovan Clingan 23 Injuries For OKC, Chet Holmgren (hip), Isaiah Joe (calf), Jaylin Williams (hamstring) and Nikola Topic (ACL) are all out. And for the first time this season, star center acquisition from the Knicks Isaiah Hartenstein is officially listed as day-to-day.
There is a good chance he doesn't play, but if he does get limited minuted tonight, that is big news for Loud City. For Portland, Matisse Thybulle is out with a knee injury. Guard Anfernee Simons (chest) and Deandre Ayton (finger) are currently listed as day-to-day.
What to know This is a big game for the Thunder where if they do not show up to play, they could be looking at three-straight losses in just one week. Although it is still early in the season, adding five total losses to their record would put them around fourth or fifth place currently in the West. And with the conference being as competitive as ever, OKC needs as many victories as they can get.
The last time the Thunder faced Portland was back on the first of November, and they beat the Blazers pretty handedly 137-114. While Chet was present during that game, he did not play very well (six points and only one board). It was headed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who combined for 52 points, 12 rebounds and ten assists.
Per the past ten days of basketball, that is exactly how the Thunder have competed in games; all SGA and JDub. For the Thunder to get their second straight win of the season against the Blazers and add on to their 13-game win streak against the franchise, OKC needs to be able to minimize the amount of offensive boards and second-chance points while also capitalizing on fast break opportunities and have their deep bench support the current Thunder co-stars. Back to work at home 🫡 🏟️ Doors open at 5:30 🎟️ https://t.
co/dl2dM4VCEb 📺 FanDuel Sports Network 📻 @sportsanimal pic.twitter.com/siW5TUiSkg MORE THUNDER CONTENT: OKC Thunder sign new center to fill in for their injured frontcourt NBA Legend hints at the idea of joining OKC Thunder in lieu of Holmgren injury Former NBA All-Star believes current Thunder team is better than the 2012/13 OKC roster.
