If the Boston Celtics want a measuring stick game during this late stretch of the regular season, Thursday night offers about as clear of one as possible.

Boston travels to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup between two of the NBA’s best teams - and two of its most disciplined defenses.

Oklahoma City enters the game with a 51-15 record and the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Celtics sit at 43-22 and remain firmly entrenched near the top of the East.

For Boston, the timing of the matchup is notable.

The Celtics are still navigating the process of reintegrating Jayson Tatum, who recently returned from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for much of the season. Tatum has appeared in three games since coming back and has flashed stretches of his usual dominance, but his workload remains carefully managed as he works his way back toward full strength.

Boston nearly pulled off an impressive road win in San Antonio earlier this week despite missing multiple key contributors, ultimately falling 125-116 to the Spurs after a controversial second-quarter ejection for Jaylen Brown shifted the tone of the game. The Celtics stayed competitive behind strong efforts from Derrick White and several bench players, but the loss underscored how thin the margin can be when Boston isn’t at full strength.

Health will again be a major storyline Thursday.

According to the latest injury report, Payton Pritchard is listed as probable with a neck spasm after missing Tuesday’s game. Tatum is questionable as he continues his right Achilles repair reconditioning program, while White is also questionable with a right knee contusion. Veteran big man Nikola Vucevic remains out with a fractured right ring finger.

Even with the uncertainty, Boston enters the matchup playing strong basketball overall, going 7-3 in its last 10 games while continuing to lean on its defensive identity. The Thunder present a similar challenge on the other side of the ball, ranking among the league’s best defensive teams while also boasting one of the NBA’s most complete young rosters.

With both teams positioning themselves for deep playoff runs, Thursday night’s game offers something close to a potential preview of what could await in June - provided each side can get there first.

Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder Information

Game Date: March 12, 2026
Game Time: 9:30 PM ET
TV Channel: Prime Video (National), NBC Sports Boston (Boston) & FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma (Oklahoma City)
Radio: 105.7 WROR (Boston) & 98.1 WWLS-FM (Oklahoma City)
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Live Stream: Prime Video, Fubo & NBA League Pass

Missed any of Tuesday night’s loss to San Antonio? Here’s everything you need to know:

Brown was putting together a strong performance before his night ended abruptly.

The Celtics star picked up two technical fouls within seconds of each other with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter after arguing a call with the officiating crew.

The second technical, issued by an official away from the initial exchange, triggered an automatic ejection.

Brown had 8 points and 7 assists in just 15 minutes before leaving the floor, clearly frustrated as teammates and team staff worked to guide him toward the locker room.

Already playing without Payton Pritchard and Nikola Vucevic, Boston suddenly found itself missing another major piece of its offense.

Every game still carries a bit of a “return to normal” feel for Tatum.

Tuesday marked just his third appearance since returning from the Achilles injury that sidelined him for much of the season.

The Celtics star finished with 24 points and 5 rebounds while playing 27 minutes, matching the workload he handled in his previous two games.

There were flashes of the familiar version of Tatum - including a stretch of seven straight points in the fourth quarter - but there were also signs that the rhythm is still returning.

He finished 10 for 24 from the field and 4 for 14 from three.

For Boston, the process of ramping him up remains the priority.

With the Celtics short-handed, Ron Harper Jr. stepped into a much larger role and delivered the best performance of his NBA career.

Harper poured in a career-high 22 points on 8 of 11 shooting, knocking down six of his nine attempts from three-point range.

He also enjoyed a unique moment during the game, matching up at times against his younger brother, Dylan Harper - which went the opposite of how it went for him at All-Star Weekend when guarding baby bro.

For a player who has bounced in and out of the rotation this season, Tuesday was a reminder of the scoring punch he can provide when given extended minutes.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Victor Wembanyama.

The Spurs superstar dominated with 39 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 8 of 15 from three-point range, repeatedly stretching Boston’s defense beyond its comfort zone.

De'Aaron Fox added 25 points and 9 assists as San Antonio pulled away late.

If these teams meet again later this year, the stakes will be much higher.

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.