SUMMARY
- The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a significant leap in performance, currently holding the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 19 wins and 9 losses.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) is a key player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, playing at an MVP-level this season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are seeded at No. 3 in the Western Conference with 19 wins and 9 losses. While the team depicted the same significant leap in the 2022–23 season, this season marks another achievement for the team. This kind of jump in performance is not normal, even for teams that spend hefty amounts in free agency or make vibrant trades in the trade season. In the 2021–22 season, the roster registered just 24 wins; however, the number just doubled in the 2022–23 season.
Following the same trajectory, the team seems to be making another jump this season. In the 2022–23 season, Thunder was sitting at just 16 wins by early January; however, right now, the team has a surplus of three already. While there are players who are playing at the MVP level, guidance and teamwork go hand-in-hand. Although the team has enough draft capital, it might fail to register a deep playoff run by the end of this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is available to start for the Thunder vs. Knicks game
The Thunder are coming off a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 26, 2023, and will be facing off against the New York Knicks in a back-to-back on December 27, 2023, at Paycom Center. The healthy OKC roster will host the Knicks as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren pace up for the game.
SHAI GILGEOUS ALEXANDER FOR GAME 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jhNkswcyVE
— Backcourt Alerts (@BackcourtAlerts) December 17, 2023
The roster seems to be healthy and ready as the team updates the injury report for the game. SGA has only gone MIA for one game this season, depicting his MVP-level performance in the rest, teaming up with second-year rookie Holmgren.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report:
- Jalen Williams (questionable)
Oklahoma City Thunder Expected Lineup:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Josh Giddey
- Lu Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
New York Knicks Injury Report:
- Mitchell Robinson (out)
- Jericho Sims (out)
- Charlie Brown Jr. (out)
- Jacob Toppin (out)
New York Knicks Expected Lineup:
- Jalen Brunson
- Donte DiVincenzo
- RJ Barett
- Julius Randle
- Isaiah Hartenstein
Will the OKC Thunder defeat the Knicks with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the lineup?
While the OKC Thunder are coming off a stellar win against the first-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, the Knicks also showcased a strong game against the trailing Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day. While SGA and three others put up a 20-plus point game, the roster might outline another statement tonight.
The Thunder are slightly better placed, as they have defeated the Knicks in the last 10 games and hold a record of 7-3. This will be the 140th career matchup between the two teams, with the last one on November 21, 2023. SGA is averaging 31.0 points per game, with 5.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists. With 54.2% shooting from the field this season, the team might utilize the face-off to sweep yet another game this season.