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The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to host the Denver Nuggets in their home opener on Tuesday night, following a season-opening victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder's defense limited Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama to 12 points on 13 shot attempts, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain, and others delivered notable offensive performances.
Tuesday's matchup presents a different challenge, as Nuggets center Nikola Jokic offers a unique offensive skill set with his exceptional passing and playmaking ability. As always, the injury report will be a factor in the game.
Key Analysis
The Thunder's injury report remains unchanged from opening night, with Otega Oweh (right Achilles tendon surgery), Thomas Sorber (right knee surgery), and Nikola Topic (low back surgery) all listed as out. Oweh tore his Achilles in the second-to-last preseason game and will work his way back over the course of the year. Sorber and Topic have been dealing with injuries since summer and did not play in Summer League or preseason due to a slow ramp-up. Topic played in a handful of games last season but has otherwise been unable to find consistency due to various circumstances. Sorber has yet to make his NBA debut, having dealt with injuries through college at Georgetown, in his rookie season with OKC, and finally undergoing another knee scope over the summer.
For the Nuggets, Spencer Jones is listed as questionable with a bilateral hamstring injury management, while Julian Strawther is out with a left knee sprain. Jones was a target for the Thunder in free agency but ultimately returned to Denver. Strawther is entering his fourth season and has shown increasingly better play for the Nuggets in his young career.
The Thunder and Nuggets tip off at 8:30 p.m. CT from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK.