Thunder Try to Regroup in L.A. Without SGA, Face Surging Lakers Squad
Oklahoma City finds itself in unfamiliar territory tonight: riding a two-game skid and heading into a tough road matchup against a Lakers team that’s suddenly found its rhythm. The Thunder dropped back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season, falling to the Spurs and Rockets over the weekend - both games where the absence of their All-NBA leader, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was hard to miss.
The Thunder and Lakers tip off at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles, with OKC looking to bounce back after a pair of frustrating losses. The last time these two teams met, it was all Thunder - a 121-92 blowout at Paycom Center back in November.
But that was then. Tonight’s matchup comes with a very different set of circumstances.
Injury Report: Thunder Thin, But JDub Returns
Oklahoma City will be without several key pieces tonight, most notably Gilgeous-Alexander, who remains sidelined with an abdominal injury. Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell is also out with an abdominal issue, and Nikola Topic, who’s been out all season, continues to recover from illness. Topic was recently assigned to the OKC Blue, signaling that his return to basketball activities may not be too far off.
There is a silver lining, though - Jalen Williams is back in the lineup. His return gives the Thunder a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor, especially with SGA out.
Jared McCain Makes His Thunder Debut
Oklahoma City’s front office moved quickly at the deadline, acquiring rookie guard Jared McCain from the 76ers. The former Duke standout was the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and brings a scoring punch to a roster that’s suddenly short on guards. McCain has averaged 10.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 38.3% from deep in his young NBA career.
He made his Thunder debut Saturday against Houston, checking in to a loud ovation from the Paycom Center crowd. After settling in, McCain knocked down his first bucket in an OKC uniform and finished with 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 14 minutes. His +12 plus-minus was a bright spot in an otherwise tough night.
“I was just excited to get out there,” McCain said postgame. “That crowd is insane, so I was super blessed and thankful to be out there. It’s an honor to be a part of them.”
Lakers Riding Momentum, Even Without Luka
The Lakers won’t have Luka Doncic tonight - a major absence on paper - but they’ve shown they can still get it done without their newest star. On Saturday, they knocked off the Warriors behind a vintage LeBron James performance: 20 points and 10 assists, controlling the tempo and setting the tone.
DeAndre Ayton, who’s been nursing a knee issue, is listed as probable and expected to play. Austin Reaves, the former Oklahoma Sooner, is continuing to ramp up after a Christmas Day injury and will be playing in his fourth game back.
Meanwhile, trade-deadline pickup Luke Kennard is still finding his footing with the Lakers. He chipped in 10 points, 2 boards, and 2 assists in Saturday’s win and could be a factor tonight with his floor spacing.
Los Angeles enters this one on a three-game winning streak and is looking to tighten the gap in the Western Conference standings. At 32-19, they’re currently tied for fifth with the Rockets. A win tonight would not only extend their streak but also deal a blow to an OKC team that’s been leading the West for much of the season.
Even with the recent losses, the Thunder sit at 40-13 - still 3.5 games up on the Spurs and a full seven games ahead of the Lakers. But with the All-Star break looming and SGA’s status uncertain, every game matters a little more.
All-Star Update: Sengun In, SGA Out
Over the weekend, it was announced that Rockets center Alperen Sengun will replace Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the All-Star Game. It’s a well-earned nod for Sengun, who’s been one of the league’s most improved bigs this season. As for SGA, the hope in OKC is that the time off will help him recover and return at full strength for the stretch run.
What to Watch Tonight
With SGA out and the Thunder looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season, tonight’s matchup is a gut check. Can Jalen Williams step up as the primary creator?
Will Chet Holmgren assert himself offensively? And how much can Jared McCain contribute as he gets more comfortable in the system?
On the other side, LeBron and the Lakers have the momentum and the home crowd. If Ayton plays and Kennard continues to find his rhythm, the Lakers could be a tough out - even without Doncic.
This one has all the makings of a high-stakes Western Conference clash, even in early February.