Kofi Inkoom
2:29 PM : Lindy Waters III won’t be taking the court for the OKC Thunder as they take on the Denver Nuggets, and stepping in to replace him is rookie Keyontae Johnson, reports Rylan Stiles.
7:39 AM : OKC Thunder is off to a great start, going 2-0 in the first two games this season, a performance they haven’t seen since 2016.
Tonight marks their ultimate test as they square off against the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, who also maintain an impressive 2-0 record this season.
The Thunder pulled off a remarkable 108-105 road victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, exceeding expectations as a 2.5-point underdog.
So much to love about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game. Simple, smooth, and always under control. pic.twitter.com/nePMH011ON
— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) October 28, 2023
Additionally, the standout All-Star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has been setting the court on fire, maintaining an impressive 32.5-point average with a scorching 61.4% shooting accuracy, all while contributing 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game.
On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets secured a 108-104 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday but fell short of covering the spread as 5.5-point favorites.
The dynamic pairing of center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray combined for 44 points in their victorious effort.
Michael Porter Jr has been an excellent two-way player since April.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) October 28, 2023
However, Denver exhibited a certain degree of sloppiness, accumulating 19 turnovers and conceding 22 fast-break points.
As both formidable teams prepare to face off at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma tonight, the injury reports on both sides reveal two sidelined players each.
Nuggets : Vlatko Cancar and Jay Huff out
For the Denver Nuggets, Vlatko Cancar remains out indefinitely due to surgery on his left knee, while Jay Huff, dealing with rib issues, is ruled out for the game against the Thunder.
Huff has yet to make his season debut for the Nuggets, and given his limited NBA experience in recent years, he’s unlikely to play a significant role off the bench when he recovers. His next opportunity to play will be in a back-to-back set against the Jazz on Monday.
Thunder : Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams out
On the OKC Thunder side, Jaylin Williams continues to be sidelined due to a hamstring injury, and Kenrich Williams, who was expected to return, will not be playing in the game against the Nuggets, as per the latest updates from the Thunder’s camp.
Williams will be missing his third consecutive game this season, still struggling with back spasms. His next chance to get back in action will be in the upcoming matchup against the Detroit Pistons on Monday.
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