OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards storylines, Digi Mart USA News: The Oklahoma City Thunder are hosting the Washington Wizards on Saturday at Paycom Center. The Thunder are looking to extend a three-game winning streak, after beating the Cavaliers twice earlier this week and blowing out the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at FedEx Forum to open their NBA Cup play.
Washington enters the game at 4-5 following a two-game losing streak and is looking to snap an early-season skid. The Thunder are dealing with significant injuries and are playing the second night of a back-to-back, with a road-to-home travel schedule.
Oklahoma City will be without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber, with several players in street clothes.
The Wizards are missing Justin Champagnie, Reece Beekman, Felix Okpara, Jamari Watkins and Tristan Vukcevic. Anthony Davis is listed as questionable leading up to tip-off.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the entire fourth quarter of Friday’s game in Memphis to rest, but coach Mark Daigneault will need to adjust the rotation to manage the workload of Oklahoma City’s regulars. Oklahoma City has two days off after this game, which gives the team a natural reset point.
Mitchell has scored 20 or more points in five of the last six Thunder games, including a 35-point performance against Memphis. The Thunder need his recent form to continue as they look for a 4-0 week.
McCain was strong against Memphis after a shooting slump, launching eight three-pointers and converting at a 37% clip. He also contributed four steals, a charge drawn and activity on the glass.
The Thunder hope he can build on that performance and fully break out of his slump.
Oklahoma City then heads to Portland on Tuesday for a back-to-back set against the Trail Blazers, starting the team’s longest road trip of the year, which spans four games.
