The Oklahoma City Thunder are back on home court Friday night, welcoming the Indiana Pacers for the second round of their season series. The last time these two met, it was an early-season epic-double overtime, end-to-end action, and OKC barely escaping with a win on October 23. This time, the stakes are different, but the Thunder are still rolling.
Thunder Finding Their Stride, Even While Short-Handed
Oklahoma City enters the matchup at 37-8, one of the best records in the league, and they're not slowing down. Despite missing key rotation players, they made a statement Wednesday with a dominant 122-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was simply unstoppable. He dropped 40 points and dished out 11 assists in a performance that felt more like artistry than basketball.
Whether it was mid-range pull-ups, drives through traffic, or precision passes, SGA controlled every possession like a conductor with a baton.
And he’s not doing it alone. Chet Holmgren continues to anchor both ends of the floor with his unique blend of rim protection and floor spacing.
Even with the Thunder missing several key contributors, their system is humming. The ball moves, the defense rotates, and players like Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams step into larger roles without missing a beat.
Pacers Struggling to Stay Afloat
On the other side, the Indiana Pacers are in the middle of a tough season. At 10-35, they’re near the bottom of the standings and trying to find something to build on.
Their latest outing, a 119-104 loss to the Boston Celtics, highlighted both their potential and their problems. Pascal Siakam, one of the few bright spots, poured in 32 points and grabbed 10 boards.
He’s clearly trying to set the tone, but it’s been an uphill battle.
Injuries have hit Indiana hard. Tyrese Haliburton is out with a torn Achilles, a brutal blow for a team that relies heavily on his playmaking.
Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin are also sidelined, leaving the Pacers thin in both talent and depth. Young players like Andrew Nembhard and Johnny Furphy are getting extended minutes, but the learning curve is steep in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone.
Injury Report: Both Teams Banged Up
Neither team is coming into this one at full strength. For OKC, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and a handful of others are out with various injuries.
Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams are listed as questionable. That’s a lot of rotation minutes on the shelf, but the Thunder have shown they can plug the gaps with smart team basketball.
Indiana’s injury list is just as long-and arguably more impactful. Haliburton, Mathurin, and Toppin are all out, and Quenton Jackson is questionable. It’s been that kind of year for the Pacers.
Projected Starters
Thunder:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Lu Dort
- Cason Wallace
- Kenrich Williams
- Chet Holmgren
Pacers:
- Andrew Nembhard
- Johnny Furphy
- Aaron Nesmith
- Pascal Siakam
- Jay Huff
What to Expect
Even with a depleted roster, the Thunder are heavy favorites in this one-and for good reason. Gilgeous-Alexander is playing MVP-level basketball, Holmgren continues to grow into his role, and the team as a whole has developed a defensive identity that travels. Combine that with a return home after a long road trip, and OKC is in a strong position to keep their momentum going.
The Pacers, meanwhile, are in development mode. Siakam gives them a fighting chance on any given night, but without Haliburton orchestrating the offense, they’ve struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities. Their young players are gaining valuable reps, but they’ll have their hands full against one of the league’s most balanced teams.
Prediction: Thunder 120, Pacers 107
Expect the Thunder to take care of business at home. Even with several players out, their core-led by SGA and Holmgren-is more than enough to handle a Pacers team that’s still trying to find its footing. OKC’s depth, defense, and star power should carry them to another double-digit win.
Over/Under: 226.5
Upcoming Games for OKC:
- Sunday, Jan. 25 vs.
Raptors
- Tuesday, Jan. 27 vs.
Pelicans
- Thursday, Jan. 29 at Timberwolves
Friday night’s matchup may not be a marquee game on national TV, but for Thunder fans, it’s another chance to watch a team that’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting stories in the NBA this season.