Thunder Look to Bounce Back With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Struggling Nets

The Oklahoma City Thunder are crossing their fingers for the return of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as they take on the Brooklyn Nets this Sunday. Shai missed his first game of the season on Friday with a sprained wrist, and let’s just say the Thunder felt his absence in their 106-98 loss to the Mavericks. With Shai listed as questionable and some key players still out, the Thunder are looking to make adjustments and keep their momentum in the Western Conference race.

Jalen Williams: Learning on the Fly

With Shai sidelined and guys like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein also unavailable, Jalen Williams had to step up—and step up big. He finished with 19 points, but it wasn’t easy. He faced defensive schemes he hadn’t seen before, including double teams and blitzes, and struggled to find his rhythm, shooting just 7-for-22 from the field.

Still, Williams is staying positive. “Not trying to do too much but still play within the team,” he said. “Just took it as a learning opportunity. Not everybody in the NBA gets doubled and blitzed. Definitely is a good thing.”

Williams is having a career year, averaging 20.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. His ability to adjust to added defensive pressure could be huge for the Thunder moving forward, especially if Shai isn’t ready to go on Sunday.

Thunder’s Defense Holds the Line

Even without their top stars, Oklahoma City’s defense remains rock solid. They lead the league in defensive rating (103.9), and they’ll need every bit of that toughness against a Brooklyn team struggling to find its groove offensively. The Nets rank fifth-worst in offensive efficiency (109.5) and have dropped 18 of their last 23 games. Ouch.

Thunder guard Luguentz Dort knows what’s at stake. “We’ve just got to play our game and really move the ball and read the defense,” Dort said. The Thunder’s defensive discipline and teamwork have been their calling card this season, and it could be the difference-maker against Brooklyn.}

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Brooklyn’s Ongoing Struggles

It’s been a rough stretch for the Nets, who’ve been missing one of their key pieces, Cameron Johnson. Brooklyn is 0-9 this season when Johnson doesn’t play, and he’s been out for seven of their last eight games with a sprained ankle. The good news? Johnson is making progress and could potentially suit up on Sunday. Coach Jordi Fernandez praised Johnson’s commitment to staying involved with the team, saying, “He’s doing a great job with trying to get healthy and working every day and being around with the group.”

In the meantime, the Nets have leaned on newer faces like Tosan Evbuomwan, who recently signed a two-way deal. Evbuomwan played 27 minutes against the Lakers and put up 15 points and six rebounds. His confidence is growing, and the Nets need more of that spark if they want to compete with Oklahoma City.

What to Watch For

• Will Shai Play? If Gilgeous-Alexander is back, Oklahoma City has a great chance to control the game. If not, the pressure will fall on Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort to carry the load.
• Defense vs. Offense: The Thunder’s elite defense will clash with Brooklyn’s inconsistent offense. This could tilt the game in OKC’s favor, especially if they can create turnovers and get out in transition.
• Cameron Johnson’s Impact: If Johnson plays, his ability to stretch the floor and stabilize the Nets’ offense could be a game-changer.

Big Picture

This game is a test for both teams. The Thunder want to keep building on their strong start, and getting Shai back would be a massive boost. For Brooklyn, it’s about stopping the bleeding and figuring out how to score consistently, especially against a top-tier defense like OKC’s.

Sunday’s matchup promises a mix of challenges and opportunities. Will the Thunder take care of business at home, or can the Nets surprise everyone and steal a win? One thing’s for sure—there’s plenty to watch for in this one.