Oklahoma City Thunder vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Thunder Look to Rebound Against Kings in Key Western Conference Clash

The Oklahoma City Thunder return home on Saturday night, looking to bounce back from a rare loss when they take on the Sacramento Kings. While Oklahoma City remains atop the Western Conference, their recent inconsistency has frustrated star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, the Kings are navigating trade rumors surrounding their best player as they try to regain their own momentum.

Thunder Seeking Stability After Inconsistent Stretch

Oklahoma City (35-14) has been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA this season, but their 110-97 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday marked their third defeat in their last six games. The Thunder’s struggles have largely come against elite competition, with five of their nine total losses this season coming against either the Warriors or the Dallas Mavericks.

Despite their success, Gilgeous-Alexander admitted that losing stings more now that the team expects to win every night.

“It feels a lot worse,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Expecting to win every night is a privilege, and I think we’ve earned that. It hurts a little bit more because of that.”

Fortunately for the Thunder, they return to the comfort of home, where they have been dominant with a 19-3 record—third-best in the NBA. Saturday also marks the beginning of a four-game homestand, giving them a chance to build more momentum as the playoff race tightens.

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Adding to the excitement, third-year standout Jalen Williams was recently named to his first All-Star team. Williams has been a crucial two-way presence for Oklahoma City, averaging 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. His versatility has helped keep the Thunder at the top of the standings, even with rookie Chet Holmgren missing extended time due to injuries.

Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander are part of an aggressive Thunder defense that leads the league in defensive rating (104.2). With four players averaging at least 1.8 steals per game, Oklahoma City has thrived on forcing turnovers and converting them into easy scoring opportunities.

Kings Struggling Amid De’Aaron Fox Trade Rumors

Sacramento (29-19) has had an up-and-down season and enters this game on a rough stretch, losing three of their last four after previously winning 10 of 11. The team continues a difficult six-game road trip, playing its fifth game away from home before wrapping things up in Memphis.

Adding to the uncertainty is the future of All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, who has been the subject of trade speculation as the deadline approaches. Fox, who has spent his entire eight-year career with the Kings, acknowledged the rumors before Wednesday’s game.

“I expect the unexpected,” Fox said when asked about the possibility of being moved.

Despite the distractions, head coach Doug Christie believes his team remains focused.

“When you look at stuff like that, you can read into a lot of different things. I don’t do that. Those guys are out there to win. They’re going to play their hearts out. They’re going to play extremely hard.”

Sacramento showed flashes of dominance in Wednesday’s 117-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, building a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter before unraveling down the stretch. Christie acknowledged that learning how to close out games remains a work in progress.

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“Once we get a lead, we have to just learn to step on somebody’s neck and put them away,” he said.

Previous Meeting and What to Expect

The Thunder and Kings met once earlier this season, with Oklahoma City cruising to a 130-109 victory in Sacramento on November 25. That game showcased the Thunder’s defensive prowess, as they held the Kings’ high-powered offense in check.

With Oklahoma City looking to bounce back and Sacramento trying to overcome its recent struggles, this game will be a key test for both teams. Can the Thunder maintain their grip on the top spot in the West, or will the Kings find a way to overcome their inconsistency and trade distractions? The stage is set for an intense Western Conference showdown in Oklahoma City.