Oklahoma City Thunder Host Atlanta Hawks Amid Preseason Injuries

The Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to conclude their preseason games on Thursday at the Paycom Center, facing the Atlanta Hawks. The Thunder’s preparations were disrupted as the team announced that center Isaiah Hartenstein will be sidelined for five to six weeks due to a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand, an injury sustained during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder will also be missing backup players Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams due to injuries, significantly limiting their options in the center position.

The Thunder have not confirmed their lineup for the game against the Hawks. Both teams might opt to restrict the playtime of their regular players, using the game as a final rehearsal before the regular season begins. Despite the lack of an official NBA injury report for the preseason, betting trends suggest a favor towards the Atlanta Hawks, who are predicted to cover an eight-point spread given Oklahoma’s potential reliance on two-way and E10 contract players.

The Atlanta Hawks enter this matchup with a mixed preseason record, having defeated the Indiana Pacers, but suffering losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat. The Hawks have averaged 110.3 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting, while defensively allowing 118 points per game. Key players include Jalen Johnson with 16.7 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Zaccharie Risacher adds 16 points and 5.5 rebounds. Kevon Harris and Trae Young contribute significantly to the team’s efforts.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have had a strong preseason, winning nine of their last 12 games. They have averaged 116.5 points on 48.7 percent shooting, while their defense has limited opponents to 103 points per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team with an average of 17 points and 5.5 assists. The team’s shooting accuracy from beyond the arc stands at 34.5 percent and 63.9 percent from the free-throw line.

Despite the preseason’s lower stakes, the Thunder have shown depth with young players eager to secure their spots, which could give them a slight edge. The back-to-back games for the Hawks pose a challenge, potentially influencing the playing time for their key players. The outcome of this preseason match could hinge on the Thunder’s young talent facing off against the seasoned energy of the Hawks.

Rylan Stiles, a credentialed media figure covering the Thunder, noted, “OKC’s young players have shown great enthusiasm in the preseason, which might impact their performance positively.” Stiles hosts the “Locked On Thunder” podcast and is a lead writer for “Inside the Thunder.”

Both teams will be aiming to fine-tune their strategies as the regular season nears, making this game an intriguing conclusion to their preseason campaigns.