The OKC Thunder and Golden State Warriors face off Friday in a regular season blockbuster game at Chase Center. When the two teams met in Oklahoma City in November of last year, the Thunder crushed the Warriors and recorded a resounding 126-102 victory.
The Warriors have a score to settle with the defending champion, but it’s going to be extremely difficult, especially when Steph Curry faces real danger of missing the game. Even with Curry, the Warriors don’t do very well against Sha Gilgeous-Alexander and Co.
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Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs showed that the Thunder were not invincible by winning three games against them in December. OKC, however, regained lost momentum by winning its previous three games by eliminating its opponents.
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Here are the starting elevens for both teams.
OKC Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors, starting lineups tonight (Jan. 2)
OKC Thunder starting lineup
The Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein for the third straight game, meaning Cason Wallace will continue to be in the starting lineup. OKC will also be without the services of Jaylin Williams (heel bursitis), Ousmane Dieng (calf strain), Nikola Topic (testicular surgery), Thomas Sorber (ACL tear) and Brooks Barnhizer (two-way G League).
Despite the lengthy injury report, the pillars of the Thunder roster are available to play. Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace will share duties in the backcourt, while Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will be in the frontcourt.
This is one of the best five-man lineups in the league. These five players played 77 minutes together, recording an offensive rating of 126.7 and a defensive rating of 95.5.
Thunder depth chart vs. Warriors:
Golden State Warriors starting lineup
The Warriors won’t field their best starting lineup against the Thunder. Veteran forward Draymond Green is rested from the costly contest, while point guard Steph Curry is questionable with a sprained left ankle. Al Horford, who is listed as probable with left sciatic nerve irritation, or Will Richard, could replace Green in the starting lineup.
If Curry misses, coach Steve Kerr is likely to start Brandin Podziemski at point guard. Moses Moody will be in the backcourt, while Jimmy Butler and Quinten Post will be in the frontcourt.
Warriors depth chart vs. Thunder:
Edited by Atishay Jain
