Thunder Look to Rebound Against Struggling Clippers in Second Season Matchup
After a rare stumble in the NBA Cup semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder return home Thursday night with a chance to reset-and they’ll do it against a team that’s been heading in the opposite direction all season.
The Thunder, sitting at a jaw-dropping 24-2, are coming off a tight 111-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, a game that knocked them out of the Cup but didn’t shake their status as one of the league’s most dominant squads. They’ve had four full days to regroup and refocus, and now they get a familiar opponent in the LA Clippers-a team they dismantled back on Nov. 4 in a blowout win.
That last meeting wasn’t close, and if the trends hold, this one might not be either.
Thunder Ready to Bounce Back
Oklahoma City has been one of the most balanced and explosive teams in the league this season, and even in Saturday’s loss, they showed why. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 29 points and dished out five assists-not a bad night by any stretch, but just short of the superhuman performances Thunder fans have grown accustomed to.
Now, with a few days of rest and a familiar opponent on deck, OKC has a prime opportunity to get right back on track. The starting five-Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren-has been one of the most cohesive units in the league. With their blend of defensive grit, shooting, and unselfish playmaking, they’ve been a nightmare for opponents.
And they’ll be facing a Clippers team that’s still searching for answers.
Clippers Continue to Slide
The Clippers have dropped four straight and sit at 6-20. Their latest loss came in Memphis, where the Grizzlies ran away with a 121-103 win. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 21 points, but it was a quiet 21-more of a footnote than a headline.
LA's starting lineup-Kris Dunn, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Leonard, John Collins, and Ivica Zubac-has struggled to find rhythm, and the team’s injury list only adds to the chaos. James Harden (calf), Derrick Jones Jr. (knee), Bradley Beal (hip), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (knee), and Chris Paul (not with the team) are all sidelined. That’s a lot of firepower missing from a team that’s already been fighting uphill all season.
Injury Report
The Thunder aren’t at full strength either. Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus), Jaylin Williams (heel), Nikola Topic (testicular surgery), and Thomas Sorber (ACL) are all out. But OKC’s depth has been one of its calling cards this season, and they’ve shown they can weather injuries better than most.
What to Watch
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT, and while the Thunder will be favored, this game is about more than just the final score.
It’s a chance for OKC to show how they respond to adversity, even if it's the rare kind they haven’t faced much this season. For the Clippers, it’s about finding some kind of spark-anything to stop the bleeding.
One thing’s for sure: if the Thunder come out with the same energy and execution they’ve shown all year, this could be another long night for LA.
Upcoming Schedule for the Thunder
- Friday, Dec. 19 at Timberwolves
- Monday, Dec. 22 vs.
Grizzlies
- Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Spurs
The next few games will test OKC’s stamina and focus, but first, they’ll look to take care of business against a Clippers squad still trying to find its footing.