The Oklahoma City Thunder, feeling the sting of not getting to play on Christmas, are looking to prove themselves when they head to Indianapolis for a meeting with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
Despite finishing the 2023-24 campaign with a 57-25 record and securing the No. 1 seed in the West, the Thunder didn’t get extra time on national television. Even coming within two wins of the conference finals this past spring didn’t do the trick. However, the Thunder haven’t let the holiday snub faze them, as they’ve won 23 of their first 28 games this season, once again positioning themselves atop the West. Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is determined to ensure his team doesn’t get overlooked.
Gilgeous-Alexander made sure no one slept on the Thunder on Monday, scoring a game-high 41 points on 14-of-25 shooting in a 123-105 drubbing of the Washington Wizards. This victory marked the eighth straight win for Oklahoma City, which boasts a 12-1 record since Nov. 20.
Adding to the celebration was the season debut of Jaylin Williams, who played in 69 games last season (one start) and contributed three points and two assists in eight minutes off the bench on Monday.
The Indiana Pacers have been impressive on the defensive end, holding opponents to 104.4 points per game during their winning streak. Myles Turner is hopeful that Indiana stays locked in defensively.
To slow down Gilgeous-Alexander, the Pacers will likely turn to Andrew Nembhard, who successfully kept Golden State sharpshooter Stephen Curry out of rhythm on Monday. Curry finished with just 10 points on 2-for-13 shooting from the floor.
This matchup promises to be an intriguing battle as the Thunder aim to continue their winning streak and the Pacers look to maintain their defensive intensity. Will Oklahoma City prove they deserve the spotlight, or will Indiana’s defense stifle their efforts?
