Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma, ClipperVision, NBA League Pass
The Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2) host the Los Angeles Clippers (6-20) in a lopsided Western Conference matchup. OKC, owners of the NBA’s best record and riding an historic hot streak, look to continue their dominance against a Clippers team mired in one of the league’s worst seasons, plagued by injuries and inconsistency. This is the second meeting of the 2025-26 season (Thunder won the first 118-94 in LA on Nov 15), with Oklahoma City heavily favored to sweep the season series early.
Injury Report (As of Thursday Afternoon – Subject to Game-Time Decisions)
Los Angeles Clippers:
Kawhi Leonard (right knee management/degeneration): Out indefinitely – Load management turned season-long absence; major factor in poor record.
James Harden (left hamstring strain): Questionable – Limited practice; if out, massive blow to playmaking.
Norman Powell (shoulder soreness): Probable
Terance Mann (ankle): Out
Ivica Zubac (back spasms): Questionable
Depth severely thinned; young players like Kobe Brown and Jordan Miller seeing expanded roles.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Chet Holmgren (hip flexor): Probable – Returned to full practice; expected to play.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf): Out
Alex Caruso (adductor): Questionable
Mostly healthy otherwise; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Cason Wallace all full participants.
Clippers decimated by injuries to stars; Thunder near full strength, giving them overwhelming edge.
Key Player Matchups
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Clippers Guards (Harden if active, or Kris Dunn/Kobe Brown): SGA dominating MVP race (~31 PPG, 6 APG, elite efficiency) feasts on LA’s depleted perimeter defense. Expect isolation heavy.
Jalen Williams vs. Clippers Wings: Williams’ two-way versatility (~22 PPG, strong defense) exploits mismatches against injury-thinned forwards.
Chet Holmgren (if full go) vs. Ivica Zubac/Drew Eubanks: Holmgren’s rim protection and spacing (blocks + 3s) vs. Clippers’ limited interior; OKC elite at paint protection.
Thunder Bench (Wallace, Caruso if active, Joe) vs. Clippers Reserves: OKC’s depth overwhelms LA’s makeshift rotation—turnovers and transition points likely.
Rebounding/Pace Battle: Thunder top-3 in defensive rebounding; Clippers struggle without Leonard/Zubac.
Game projects as OKC-controlled from tip—pace dictation and defensive stifling key.
Team Records and Standings Context
Oklahoma City Thunder: 24-2 (1st Western Conference, best record in NBA). Clear title contenders; historic start.
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-20 (Last in Western Conference). Rebuilding/tanking whispers amid injuries.
Recent Team Form
Thunder: Winners of 14 straight, including blowouts like 132-102 over Dallas (Dec 16) and 124-98 vs. Portland (Dec 14). Unstoppable offense (top-3 efficiency) paired with league-best defense; allowing under 100 PPG during streak.
Clippers: Lost 8 of last 10, including 112-95 defeat at Denver (Dec 16). Offense sputtering without stars; defense porous, especially in transition.
Thunder peaking; Clippers in freefall.
Series History
All-Time Regular Season: Thunder lead 141-113 (including Seattle era).
Recent (Last 10): OKC dominates 8-2, including multiple blowouts.
2025-26 Season: Thunder lead 1-0 (118-94 win in LA – SGA 38 points, Clippers shot under 40%).
At Paycom Center: Thunder tough at home (12-1 this season); won last 5 vs. Clippers in OKC.
Betting Trends
Public pounding Thunder ML/spread (steam moved from -14.5 to -16.5); sharps on Clippers +points (backdoor cover potential in garbage time) and under (OKC holding opponents low, Clippers scoring drought).
Thunder 18-8 ATS during streak; excellent at home covering large numbers.
Clippers poor ATS as big dogs; unders cashing in their games (offense <100 PPG lately).
High-volume under bets due to defensive disparity.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers 221.5
Oklahoma City Thunder – 16.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025
