The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling out a different look against Portland on the second night of a back-to-back, and the biggest wrinkle is in the starting five. With the roster thinned out by injuries, veteran Alex Caruso is in the first five, a rare move during his time in Bricktown.
It’s the second game of Oklahoma City’s four-game road trip, the longest of the season, and the Thunder are trying to respond after a rough night in the Moda Center. Less than 24 hours ago, Portland handed OKC a blowout loss, snapping the Thunder’s four-game skid in the process.
That game turned fast after halftime. The teams were even at 59 at the break, but the Trail Blazers took over in the third quarter, winning it by 17 and turning the fourth into garbage time on the way to a 20-point win.
Portland is again shorthanded, with Ja Morant, Shaedon Sharpe, Chris Youngblood, and Vit Krejci out for this one. Oklahoma City, though, is dealing with a much deeper hit to its own lineup. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams, Thomas Sorber, and Nikola Topic are all unavailable.
That leaves the Thunder trying to piece together a rotation after injuries have chipped away at what was supposed to be one of the league’s best rosters. Mitchell had been one of the few bright spots on a struggling offense last night, but he’s now among the players in street clothes after missing yesterday’s game with varying injuries.
With so many regulars out, Oklahoma City’s task is straightforward: get through 48 minutes and avoid another runaway. A split would be the best-case result, but the more immediate goal is simply to stay afloat, finish the trip, and head home 2-2 after this stretch.
There is at least some reason for optimism. This Thunder group has shown it can string together big wins, and when it has managed to keep games from getting away early, it has found ways to finish. The hope tonight is that Portland doesn’t build another avalanche.
In Other News...
Jared McCains Surge Suddenly Matters More For OKC Than Ever
With Ajay Mitchell ruled out for the upcoming game against Portland because of an ankle sprain, the Thunder suddenly have a little more room for someone else to shoulder the scoring load. Jared McCain has been trending up at the right time, and his recent efficiency has given Oklahoma City another perimeter option to lean on as it prepares for the rematch.
McCain already showed what that can look like against the Trail Blazers, when he put up 21 points in the previous meeting. If that kind of production carries over again, the Thunder could be asking him to do more than just fill minutes. The bigger question is whether this surge is the start of a larger offensive role or just a timely burst when Oklahoma City needs it most. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Get Immediate Shot To Answer Portland Without Key Pieces
The Thunder get an immediate chance to reset the tone Wednesday night in Portland, where theyll face the Trail Blazers again at the Moda Center just one day after the teams opened this back-to-back. Oklahoma City is still in the early part of the season, but these quick rematches can say plenty about how a team handles a loss, especially on the road and on short rest.
This one also comes with some lineup uncertainty for Oklahoma City, which adds another layer to a game that already has the feel of a response opportunity. The broadcast details, betting line and projected starters are all in place, but the bigger question is whether the Thunder can bring a cleaner, sharper version of themselves into the second meeting and leave Portland with a different result. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Could Need Nique Clifford Much Sooner Than Expected
Nique Cliffords first look in a Thunder uniform came with the usual rookie hurdles, but there was enough there to leave a positive impression on Mark Daigneault. Even while still getting his arms around the playbook and learning the feel of his new teammates, Clifford showed enough in his debut to suggest Oklahoma City may be able to lean on him sooner than expected if the need arises.
The need may already be forming as the Thunder work through a crowded injury situation, with Ajay Mitchells ankle issue only adding to the pressure on the rotation. If Clifford is asked to take on a bigger role, the timing could matter even more with Jared McCain trending upward offensively and potentially becoming a key piece in the upcoming meetings with the Portland Trail Blazers. [Read more 🡒]