The Sacramento Kings are on the road in Oklahoma City tonight to face the defending champion, 4-0 Thunder. And if the Kings don’t improve several facets of their game considerably, this could get ugly.
Who: Sacramento Kings (1-2) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0)
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
When: 5:00 PT / 8:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA, League Pass
I feel like we’ve spent more energy than usual discussing both the Kings’ and their opponents’ injury report, and while that isn’t a very fun topic, it remains necessary. The Thunder are entering this game on the second night of a back-to-back, and will be without Chet Holmgren (back), Jalen Williams (wrist), Isaiah Joe (knee), Thomas Sorber (ACL), Nikola Topic (illness), and Kenrich Williams (knee). Sacramento will still be without Nique Clifford (hamstring) and Keegan Murray (thumb).
Despite the Thunder missing several key rotation players, they’re still the favorites, and for good reason. The Kings just let Austin Reeves shoot 22 free throws against them in a disappointing loss to the Lakers without Luka Doncic or LeBron James. How are they going to handle Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s reigning MVP, and notorious free throw merchant?
For those wondering, the NBA single-game record for free throws made is 28, held by Adrian Dantley and Wilt Chamberlain. Could SGA challenge that record tonight? With how frequently the Kings are fouling, and how prolific SGA is at getting to the line, absolutely.
Prediction: Kings 112, Thunder 109.