The Oklahoma City Thunder get another early-season test Sunday when they host the LA Clippers in the first meeting between the teams in the 2026-27 regular season. It also kicks off a back-to-back for OKC.
The Thunder are 2-0 after grinding out an ugly 96-84 win over the Denver Nuggets in their home opener Thursday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s historic 20-point streak came to an end in that game, as he finished with 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting.
The Clippers come in at 1-1 after a 125-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Darius Garland led the way with 26 points and six assists, while Brook Lopez added 22 points off the bench in a vintage-style outing.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
The game will be available to watch live on Thunder+.
Injury-wise, Oklahoma City will be without Nikola Topic (back surgery), Thomas Sorber (back surgery), and Otega Oweh (not with team). The Clippers list Brandon Ingram (heel surgery), Bradley Beal (knee surgery management), Max Strus (torn plantar fascia), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Lisfranc injury), and Jordan Miller (torn rotator cuff) as out.
Projected starters for Oklahoma City are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Clippers’ expected starting five is Darius Garland, Kris Dunn, Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr., and Isaiah Jackson.
The odds point to Oklahoma City as the clear favorite, with a projected Thunder 115, Clippers 97 final and the over/under set at 221.5. The expectation is that the Thunder, facing a team on the other side of the NBA highway, could have this one under control by halftime and be resting starters in the fourth quarter, especially with a back-to-back ahead.
Oklahoma City’s next games are Monday, Oct. 26 against the Suns, Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Mavericks, and Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Rockets.
In Other News...
Thunders Unbeaten Start Suddenly Comes With A Worry Fans Will Feel
Oklahoma Citys unbeaten start kept rolling for most of the night against the Clippers, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carrying the offense and finishing with 27 points as the Thunder held a late lead in the fourth quarter. It was the kind of win that fit the early-season script for a team that has looked steady on both ends and confident in close games.
The concern arrived in the third quarter, when Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace both exited with injuries and did not return. Williams was dealing with right wrist soreness, while Wallace had left shoulder soreness, and the sight of two rotation pieces heading to the bench at once is the sort of thing that can linger far longer than one regular-season game. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Suddenly Have A Huge Jalen Williams Concern
The Thunder had one of those late-game moments nobody in Oklahoma City wanted to see when Jalen Williams went up for a dunk against the Clippers and came down awkwardly on his leg in the fourth quarter. The sequence turned quickly from a routine attacking play into a scary pause, with Williams eventually leaving the floor in a leg brace after being helped off.
Williams did manage to give the crowd a thumbs up before he exited, a small sign that offered some relief in the moment. Even so, the bigger concern now is the same one that follows any sudden injury like this, since the Thunder have not provided an official update on his status and will be waiting to learn how serious it is. [Read more 🡒]
Aday Mara Is Already Making OKC's Draft Choice Look Smarter
Aday Mara is already giving the Thunder a good early return on a draft decision that drew plenty of attention in the moment. Taken 12th overall, the big man has looked comfortable through his first three games, and the early read from Oklahoma City is that his defense and fit have been just as encouraging as the raw production.
For a team that values long-term upside but still wants immediate signs of progress, Maras start matters. Around the same Michigan pipeline of prospects, the opening stretch has been uneven, which only makes Maras smooth transition stand out more for the Thunder as they track whether they found the right player for this spot. [Read more 🡒]