The Oklahoma City Thunder will visit the Washington Wizards for an exciting NBA matchup on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The game will take place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and promises to be an intriguing contest with contrasting team forms and objectives.
Oklahoma City Thunder Preview:
The Thunder (31-6) have been on a tear, losing just once since December and recently bouncing back from a 15-game winning streak break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been pivotal, with another 30+ point game on Friday. With 22 such games this season, Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league, averaging 31.5 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.
The Thunder boast a deep roster, with Isaiah Joe scoring 31 points off the bench and Jalen Williams adding 19 points against the New York Knicks. Oklahoma City has had the upper hand against Washington, winning their last five meetings.
Washington Wizards Preview:
Conversely, the Wizards (6-30) own the NBA’s worst record. They dropped their fifth straight game on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, who shot 55.8% from the field. Jordan Poole, returning from injury, led with 22 points for Washington. Rookie Alex Sarr added 11 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Guard Malcolm Brogdon is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, while Jared Butler has stepped up in his absence, averaging 18.8 points and 5.3 assists over the past four games. The Wizards continue their rebuilding efforts and rely on young talents like Kyshawn George.
Key Matchup:
The matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jordan Poole will be pivotal. Both guards will impact their respective teams’ performance, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive output will be a critical factor.
