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The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Dallas Mavericks tonight, hoping to move to a league-best 22-1.
<!–qv q:id=6r q:key=vcaa:With a win, OKC would match the Houston Rockets' third-best start to a season of all time. It's impossible to match Golden State's 24-0 start, but the team could move to a similar 24-1 next week.
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With a win, OKC would match the Houston Rockets’ third-best start to a season of all time. It’s impossible to match Golden State’s 24-0 start, but the team could move to a similar 24-1 next week.
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Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the largest driving force for Oklahoma City so far, though they've needed plenty of stellar performances of late to overcome injury woes. All-NBA forward Jalen Williams is finally back from a wrist injury, and seven-footer Chet Holmgren seems to be cruising toward his first All-Star appearance.
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Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the largest driving force for Oklahoma City so far, though they’ve needed plenty of stellar performances of late to overcome injury woes. All-NBA forward Jalen Williams is finally back from a wrist injury, and seven-footer Chet Holmgren seems to be cruising toward his first All-Star appearance.
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OKC has already faced off against the Mavericks once this year, needing to hold Dallas at bay in the fourth quarter to make it out with a win. Though the ever-changing injury report is sure to swap things up on both teams.
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OKC has already faced off against the Mavericks once this year, needing to hold Dallas at bay in the fourth quarter to make it out with a win. Though the ever-changing injury report is sure to swap things up on both teams.
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Here are the injury reports for both the Thunder and Mavericks ahead of tonight’s game:
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Here are the injury reports for both the Thunder and Mavericks ahead of tonight’s game:
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OKC Thunder injuries:
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OKC Thunder injuries:
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Brooks Barnhizer —Probable: G League
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Brooks Barnhizer —Probable: G League
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Isaiah Joe –– Questionable: Left Knee Soreness
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Isaiah Joe –– Questionable: Left Knee Soreness
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Branden Carlson — Available: Nasal Fracture
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Branden Carlson — Available: Nasal Fracture
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Alex Caruso — Out: Right quad
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Alex Caruso — Out: Right quad
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Luguentz Dort — Out: Right adductor
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Luguentz Dort — Out: Right adductor
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Isaiah Hartenstein — Out: Right soleus
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Isaiah Hartenstein — Out: Right soleus
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Thomas Sorber — Out: Right ACL
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Thomas Sorber — Out: Right ACL
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Nikola Topic — Out: N/A
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Nikola Topic — Out: N/A
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Chris Youngblood — Probable: G League
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Chris Youngblood — Probable: G League
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Dallas Mavericks injuries:
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Dallas Mavericks injuries:
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Dante Exum — Out: Right knee
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Dante Exum — Out: Right knee
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Cooper Flagg — Available: Right thumb
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Cooper Flagg — Available: Right thumb
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Daniel Gafford — OUT: Right ankle
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Daniel Gafford — OUT: Right ankle
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Kyrie Irving — Out: Left knee
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Kyrie Irving — Out: Left knee
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Dereck Lively II — Out: Right foot
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Dereck Lively II — Out: Right foot
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PJ Washington — OUT: Right ankle
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PJ Washington — OUT: Right ankle
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Both the Thunder and Mavericks will be without major contributors tonight.
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Both the Thunder and Mavericks will be without major contributors tonight.
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OKC is set to miss the same trio it did against the Warriors in Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. The first two are starters, offering two-way skillsets with Hartenstein creating a double-big lineup alongside Chet Holmgren.
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OKC is set to miss the same trio it did against the Warriors in Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. The first two are starters, offering two-way skillsets with Hartenstein creating a double-big lineup alongside Chet Holmgren.
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Caruso, who will miss tonight’s game with a quad injury, is the team’s top bench impactor.
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Caruso, who will miss tonight’s game with a quad injury, is the team’s top bench impactor.
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OKC has continued to use a next man up mentality this season regarding injuries, though losing that trio is a big hit on both sides of the ball.
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OKC has continued to use a next man up mentality this season regarding injuries, though losing that trio is a big hit on both sides of the ball.
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Dallas continues to be without superstar guard Kyrie Irving, who could be slated for a 2026 return, as well as center Dereck Lively II.
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Dallas continues to be without superstar guard Kyrie Irving, who could be slated for a 2026 return, as well as center Dereck Lively II.
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The Mavericks have two major contributors in Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington listed as questionable, though top pick Cooper Flagg is slated as available to play.
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The Mavericks have two major contributors in Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington listed as questionable, though top pick Cooper Flagg is slated as available to play.
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The Thunder and Mavericks tip off at 8:30 p.m. CT tonight from Oklahoma City, OK.
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The Thunder and Mavericks tip off at 8:30 p.m. CT tonight from Oklahoma City, OK.