Injury-Plagued Thunder Face Raptors as Underdogs in Crucial NBA Matchup
Injury-Plagued Thunder Face Raptors as Underdogs

Injury-Plagued Thunder Face Raptors as Underdogs in Crucial NBA Matchup

The Oklahoma City Thunder will travel to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, marking the first time this season they enter a back-to-back game as underdogs. This shift in status is primarily due to significant injury concerns affecting their roster, including the absence of star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Key Players Questionable and Out for Both Sides

Chet Holmgren, the Thunder's promising forward, is currently listed as questionable for the road game against Toronto due to ongoing health issues. This comes after Toronto delivered a surprising performance in January, defeating Oklahoma City by an 11-point margin on the road, showcasing their capability to challenge top teams.

Both franchises are grappling with injury setbacks in the interim period. While Toronto has several players tagged as questionable, Oklahoma City is dealing with the loss of crucial starters. Despite these challenges, both teams possess sufficient depth to ensure the contest remains highly competitive and engaging for fans.

Game Details and Broadcasting Information

The Oklahoma City Thunder versus Toronto Raptors matchup is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 24. The game will be held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Fans can catch the live telecast on the FanDuel Sports Network. For those preferring online streaming, the match will be available on Fubo and Prime Video platforms.

Expected Starting Lineups

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Point Guard: Nikola Topic
  • Shooting Guard: Luguentz Dort
  • Small Forward: Alex Caruso
  • Power Forward: Chet Holmgren
  • Center: Isaiah Hartenstein

Toronto Raptors

  • Point Guard: Immanuel Quickley
  • Shooting Guard: Brandon Ingram
  • Small Forward: RJ Barrett
  • Power Forward: Scottie Barnes
  • Center: Sandro Mamukelashvili

Comprehensive Injury Report

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Alex Caruso: Day-to-day (Left ankle sprain)
  • Chet Holmgren: Day-to-day (Low back spasms)
  • Ajay Mitchell: Out (Abdominal strain)
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Out (Abdomen)
  • Jalen Williams: Out (Hamstring)
  • Thomas Sorber: Out (Torn ACL in right knee)

Toronto Raptors

  • Jakob Poeltl: Out (Back)
  • Chucky Hepburn: Out (G League assignment)

Game Prediction and Analysis

Alex Caruso, dealing with a left ankle sprain, and Holmgren, suffering from low back spasms, are both considered suspects for the game. Additionally, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain), and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain) remain sidelined for Oklahoma City, who hold a 44-14 record.

Remarkably, the Oklahoma City Thunder rank ninth in net rating over the last seven games, even with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missing those contests, highlighting the depth and resilience of their roster. However, the Toronto Raptors' defensive versatility poses a significant challenge that could impact the game's outcome.

Scottie Barnes is set to return for Toronto, who boast a 34-23 record. The All-Star forward missed Sunday's 122-94 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks due to personal circumstances. With Oklahoma City ranked 24th in rebounding rate and Chet Holmgren potentially sidelined, Barnes' return—following the reported birth of his child—presents an opportunity for him to dominate the glass and influence the game significantly.