Thought it was going to be a marquee match-up, then the injury report came!
Who: Phoenix Suns (9-3) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (10-2)
When: 6:00pm Arizona Time
Where: Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns head to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder at the Paycom Center on Friday. This matchup marks Phoenix’s second NBA Cup game, while it will be the first for OKC, and it is the first of three clashes with the Thunder this season.
The Suns and Thunder are #3 and #1 respectively in a very tough Western Conference. Phoenix is playing its third game in four nights. Wednesday night the Suns lost to the Sacramento Kings, 127-104. The Kings have defeated the Suns twice within the last week. OKC played the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday winning, 106-88.
Currently, OKC holds the 8th spot in points per game (PPG) with an average of 116.4 and ranks 2nd in opponent points per game (OPPG), allowing just 103.8. Meanwhile, the Suns rank 13th in PPG at 114.3 and sit at 18th in OPPG, conceding an average of 113.8.
Both teams have been hit hard by injuries. Kevin Durant remains sidelined with a calf strain, and Bradley Beal has also been ruled out. On the OKC side, Chet Holmgren is dealing with a right iliac hip fracture — which sounds especially painful — while Jaylin Williams is out due to a hamstring injury, and Isaiah Hartenstein is nursing a left hand fracture. Both teams are certainly feeling the absence of key players.
Starting Lineups
Injury Update
Suns
- Kevin Durant — OUT (left calf strain)
- Bradley Beal — OUT (calf strain)
- Jusuf Nurkic — QUESTIONABLE (left ankle)
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
- Collin Gillespie — OUT (right Ankle )
Oklahoma City
- Alex Caruso — OUT (hip soreness)
- Chet Holmgren — OUT (right hip fracture)
- Jaylin Williams — OUT (hamstring)
- Isaiah Hartenstein — OUT (fractured left hand)
- Nikola Topic — OUT (ACL)
Uniform Matchup
What To Watch For
Last year OKC swept the season series outscoring the Suns by 44 points in the three contests. Two of the three contests were blowouts. DBook only played in one game.
That was last year. This year, the Suns are filled with good vibes, three-pointers, and Coach Bud. While both teams are dealing with injuries, I am anxious to see how this Suns team matches up with OKC.
Devin Booker
He is averaging 23.3 PPG, 6.8 APG, and shooting 43.4% overall and 34.3% from 3P this season. This is a slow start? Other players would love that stat line! In the last game versus the Kings, Booker was double-teamed and struggled. No Beal or Grayson in that game.
“Just playing to our advantage. They were putting two on the ball every time. I could’ve did a better job through the night of not trying to force it and get off it and trust my teammates a little bit more.”
Devin Booker on Suns taking lead in 3rd. He scored 18 on 16 FGAs. #Suns pic.twitter.com/APDPAPdjiQ
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 14, 2024
However, when the lights are shining bright he comes to play. I expect Devin to have a big game against the Thunder. Last year, Devin only played one game versus OKC and scored 14 points. Devin seems to take matchups personally, especially when they are against other top players. Book is about due for a big game, let’s see if it happens against OKC. Two seasons ago, he dropped 46 on the Thunder.
OKC Small Ball Lineup
Since Chey Holmgren is out, 6’5” Jalen Williams has been starting at center and he is cooking! In his last two games, he scored 31 points versus the Pelicans and 28 points against the Clippers. This season he is averaging 20.8 PPG. I am interested in how the Suns adjust to this lineup. If Nurk plays, will he have a great game taking advantage of his size or will he be played off the court? Last year Nurk had 31 rebounds against OKC. Remember that?
Jusuf Nurkic finished tonight’s game with 31 rebounds
▪️ Suns franchise record for most rebounds in a game
▪️ Most rebounds by any player since the 2010-11 NBA season pic.twitter.com/PUYO2tUMo2— NBA (@NBA) March 4, 2024
Could be an interesting game for Oso!
Who is Playing or NOT Playing?
Bradley Beal’s presence on the basketball court is one of the reasons the Suns have started the way they have. His driving, shooting ability, and ball skills are vital, especially for Booker to be most efficient. He draws attention when he is on the court and that frees up others. Sacramento was able to double Book more effectively as a result of Beal’s absence. Beal has been ruled out for this game. That is a big loss in this game. Two of the Big Three are out.
Prediction
OKC had our number last year and we are limping into this game, KD is out, Bradley Beal is out and Grayson and Nurk are both questionable. Our third game in four nights. I am not very optimistic. However, this team has shown resilience in the past. I said I was interested in how the Suns match up against OKC. I want to see what Coach Bud has for a game plan given that KD and Beal are out.
Maybe we launch 60 threes this game, who knows? Hopefully, Grayson and Nurk will play. OKC is missing Chet and now Caruso, but at this point, OKC has more depth and shooting than we do right now. Sorry folks, I don’t think this will be pretty unless Okogie can put up a 40-piece and Book plays lights out. It may not be that close. Hopefully, I am wrong!
Oklahoma City 124, Phoenix 110