The Washington Wizards will be without star Trae Young for their home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT.
Young, a native of Norman and a former standout at OU, is sidelined for the third consecutive game due to low back pain and a right quad contusion. Since his trade from the Atlanta Hawks on January 7, Young has only suited up for five games with the Wizards, who currently hold a 16-53 record.
On the other side, the Thunder, boasting a strong 55-15 record, are set to welcome back starters Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort. Both players missed the recent 121-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets but are ready to contribute again.
Here’s what you need to know about the Thunder-Wizards matchup:
Game Time and Broadcast Details: The game tips off at 4 p.m.
CT. Check local listings for channel information to catch the action live.
Predictions and Picks: With OKC riding a 10-game winning streak and nearly at full strength, they’re favored to continue their dominance.
The Wizards, on a 14-game skid and missing key players like Trae Young, Anthony Davis, and Kyshawn George, face an uphill battle. Expect OKC to capitalize on their momentum and secure a road win.
Betting Odds: According to BetMGM, the Thunder are favored by 21.5 points.
The over/under is set at 229.5. Moneyline odds are OKC -3000 and Washington +1300.
Injury Updates: For the Thunder, Branden Carlson (low back strain), Payton Sandfort (G League two-way), Thomas Sorber (right ACL recovery), Nikola Topić (G League assignment), and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) are out.
The Wizards are dealing with several absences: Leaky Black (left ankle sprain), Anthony Davis (left finger sprain), Kyshawn George (left elbow sprain), D'Angelo Russell (not with team), and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder deep vein thrombosis) are out. Tre Johnson (right foot soreness) and Will Riley (right adductor soreness) are questionable.
Projected Starters: For the Wizards, expect to see Sharife Cooper, Bub Carrington, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Alex Sarr in the starting lineup.
As the Thunder look to maintain their winning ways, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be a beacon of consistency, driving OKC’s success. Keep an eye on him as he leads the charge against a struggling Wizards squad.