Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren is expected to miss 8-10 weeks due to a right iliac wing fracture sustained during a game against the Golden State Warriors. Holmgren, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft and missed his rookie season due to a foot injury, has been a key player for the Thunder, averaging 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The Thunder, who are dealing with multiple injuries in their frontcourt, will rely on smaller lineups until Holmgren and other injured players return.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with a strong season record of 23-10, are set to face the struggling Brooklyn Nets, who are on a five-game losing streak with a 15-20 record. The matchup is anticipated to be a defensive display by the Thunder, who are favored to win and cover the spread, while the game's total points are predicted to go under, considering the Nets' recent offensive struggles and the Thunder's defensive prowess. The game is scheduled for 7:30 ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have risen to the top of the NBA with a unique offensive strategy that defies traditional basketball roles, emphasizing versatility and skill development across all positions. Under the guidance of coach Mark Daigneault, who is a front-runner for NBA Coach of the Year, the Thunder have crafted an offense that utilizes guard-to-guard screening actions and encourages every player to handle the ball and make decisions. This approach has led to significant wins, including a memorable victory over the Boston Celtics without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder's success is attributed to their ability to adapt and innovate, creating an offense that leverages the diverse talents of their players.
During a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks, officials took over 10 minutes to resolve a confusion caused by the Thunder's similarly named players, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams. The mix-up in the scorebook regarding their foul count required reviewing game tape to correct. Despite the delay, the Hawks secured a 141-138 victory, ending the Thunder's recent winning streak.
The NBA betting analysis for January 3rd suggests placing bets on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half against the Atlanta Hawks despite the Thunder's challenging schedule, due to their strong performance in similar situations and the Hawks' poor ATS record. Additionally, the Los Angeles Clippers are favored to win and cover against the Phoenix Suns, especially with Kawhi Leonard back in form and the Suns missing Kevin Durant. The recommended bets are Thunder 1H (-0.5) and Clippers (-3.5), with the Clippers bet being playable up to (-4.5).
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Boston Celtics 127-123, ending Boston's six-game winning streak. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points, contributing to Oklahoma City's impressive run of eight wins in their last nine games. The victory places the Thunder second in the Western Conference standings. Despite a late-game rally by the Celtics, the young Thunder team showcased their growth and potential as contenders in the league.
The Oklahoma City Thunder held off a late surge by the Boston Celtics to secure a 127-123 victory, ending Boston's six-game win streak. The pivotal moment came in the third quarter when the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, outscored the Celtics 40-25 to build a lead that proved too much for Boston to overcome. Jayson Tatum's near triple-double performance wasn't enough to complete the comeback, despite his 30 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their fifth consecutive win by defeating the NBA-leading Boston Celtics 127-123, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge with 36 points. The Thunder's impressive performance included contributions from Josh Giddey and Chet Holmgren, while the Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum combined for 64 points in the loss. The game featured a strong second-half start by the Thunder and a late rally by the Celtics, but clutch free throws by Gilgeous-Alexander sealed the victory for Oklahoma City.
The Boston Celtics, leading the Eastern Conference, are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are second in the Western Conference, in an anticipated matchup. Both teams have been performing well, with the Celtics winning their last six games and the Thunder their last four. Key player matchups include Jrue Holiday versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kristaps Porzingis against Chet Holmgren. The Celtics have a tough schedule ahead and will need to focus on defense, rebounding, and taking care of the ball to secure a win. With both teams having no reported injuries and playing with full rosters, the game is poised to be a competitive clash.
Denver Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic praised Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him "a problem in this league" and commending his desire to win over personal statistics. Despite Jokic's own strong performance, the Nuggets lost to the Thunder 119-93, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring an impressive 40 points. Jokic also hinted at not appearing on more podcasts after his feature on Michael Porter Jr.’s "Curious Mike" podcast, and discussed the team's approach to games and fatigue during the season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a score of 119-93, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40 points and Chet Holmgren's 24 points. The Thunder extended their winning streak to three games, while the Nuggets' six-game winning streak came to an end.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 119-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets with a 40-point performance, including a pivotal 17 points in the third quarter. The Thunder's win, fueled by Gilgeous-Alexander's efficient shooting and Chet Holmgren's 24 points, ended the Nuggets' six-game winning streak and marked their second recent loss to the Thunder. Despite Nikola Jokic's efficient scoring, the Nuggets struggled with turnovers and couldn't contain the Thunder's offense, especially during Oklahoma City's significant third-quarter run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 119-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets, ending Denver's six-game winning streak with a 40-point performance. The Nuggets struggled with turnovers and poor shooting, particularly from Jamal Murray and beyond the arc. The Thunder capitalized on fast-break opportunities and overcame a slow start from three-point range to secure the win. Denver's Nikola Jokic faced tough defense, and the team missed the presence of Aaron Gordon, who was out due to injury.
