Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Game #15
Zach Collins will start for the Spurs for a second straight game (Photo via X)
The San Antonio Spurs will attempt to end their two-game losing streak on Tuesday night when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Frost Bank Center. The saw a two-game winning streak end on Friday when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. The next night, San Antonio fell to the Dallas Mavericks without the services of Victor Wembanyama or Devin Vassell.
The Spurs, 6-8, are currently the 12th seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder, 11-3, are the top team in the West. The only team with a better record than OKC is the 15-0 Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the previous matchup between these two teams this season, the Thunder won in Oklahoma City by a final score of 105-93.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Update
Unfortunately, Victor Wembanyama will miss a second consecutive game with a bruised knee. He was originally injured during the Lakers game following a collision with Anthony Davis.
Jeremy Sochan remains out following thumb surgery. The news is good for Devin Vassell, however. After missing the Mavericks game, Vassell is ready to play tonight against the Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Update
Wembanyama isn’t the only star sophomore who will miss Tuesday’s game. Chet Holmgren, the runner up to Wembanyama in the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year voting, is out for the Thunder. Holmgren suffered a hip fracture and is expected to be out at least three months.
Isaiah Joe will also miss the game against the Spurs due to a calf injury.
San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup
As long as Devin Vassell is on a minutes restriction, expecting acting head coach Mitch Johnson to keep using him as a reserve. Also expect Johnson to use Zach Collins in place of Victor Wembanyama in the starting lineup. The other four starters should be Chris Paul at point guard, Stephon Castle at shooting guard, Julian Champagnie at small forward and Harrison Barnes at power forward.
Against the Mavs, the coaching staff used Charles Bassey as the backup center. He played well, particularly on the defensive end. It’ll be interesting to see if Bassey is again in the rotation tonight against the Thunder.
Betting Guide: Spurs vs. Thunder
`The Thunder are favored by ten points and the over/under is 222.5 points. Considering that the Thunder have an average point differential this year of 11.9 and considering the absence of Wembanyama, the smart money is on the Thunder winning this game by 11 points or more.