With top stars resting, Lu Dort and a skeleton crew must spark the Thunder against the Nuggets. Get ready for unexpected heroes.
The Oklahoma City Thunder injury report for Friday night's game against the Denver Nuggets was released on Thursday evening. Just as expected, it was a lengthy one.
Due to winning Wednesday night's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Thunder clinched the #1 overall seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. As a result, OKC has nothing left to play for over the final two games. It will be a good opportunity for Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault to give all his top rotation guys some well earned rest. And possibly even assist their own playoff path in the process.
In what initially seemed to be a late season clash of the titans, the Thunder will now be without nine of their top ten rotation players against the Nuggets. Those players include... let me take a deep breath here... Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams and, of course, Thomas Sorber.
To recap, OKC will be without the reigning MVP, an All-Star, another All-Star, their leading rebounder, their Sixth Man of the Year candidate, their two time All-Defense selection, their projected upcoming Second Team All Defense selection, their best 3 point shooter and their only regularly rostered reserve big man.
The list of players available is much shorter. The eight guys suiting up for the Thunder will be Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Jared McCain, Nikola Topic, Kenrich Williams and two-way players Brooks Barnhizer, Branden Carlson and Payton Sandfort.
So let's focus in on the players who will be on the court on Friday night. Despite obviously missing most of their best scorers, shooters, rebounders, playmakers and most of their size, this group somehow is still a fun and talented one.
Dort needs to play the final two games to become awards eligible. OKC's First Team All-Defense selection and top 5 Defensive Player of the Year finisher may not get the same vote totals as last year, but he's certainly still worthy of Second Team All-Defense consideration.
Aaron Wiggins saved basketball, as we all know. He has had his ups and downs this season. But when he is given the green flag to be this team's primary scorer, he still has the ability to light it up.
Jared McCain has been one of the most exciting surprises of the second half of OKC's season. The sharpshooting sophomore was an essential scorer as the Thunder battled through injuries. A heavy workload against the Nuggets' iffy defense could result in some 3 point fireworks.
Kenrich Williams is OKC's grizzled old vet at the ripe age of 31. And yet he still outhustles and outworks players a decade younger than him every time he steps on the floor. He will absolutely not play like this is a meaningless game.
Topic is one of the greatest success stories of this season. The jumbo sized point guard overcame a torn ACL and then a battle with testicular cancer to fight his way onto an NBA court. An extended Topic run, and hopefully his first career start, would be a welcome watch for every Thunder fan.
The two-way contract trio of Brooks Barnhizer, Branden Carlson and Payton Sandfort will not be eligible to play in the postseason. So this is likely their to second to last opportunity to showcase their skills and stack some more solid NBA game film until next season.