Anticipation surrounded the Philadelphia 76ers as they were poised to be contenders in the NBA, while the Oklahoma City Thunder, having secured a play-in berth last season, were anticipated to show improvement. This Saturday in Oklahoma City, the consistently strong 76ers and the unexpectedly impressive Thunder are set to collide in an early-season showdown between two of the league’s top teams.
The upcoming game promises a clash between one of the league’s premier veteran big men, the reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid from Philadelphia, and an emerging 7-foot talent, Chet Holmgren, representing Oklahoma City.
Embiid sat out the Wednesday defeat in Minnesota due to left hip soreness, but he joined the team for the journey to Oklahoma City. This marked his initial absence from a game in the current season.
Where to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
- Date: November 25, 2023
- Time: 5PM ET
- Place: Oklahoma
- Venue: Paycom Center
- TV channel: Bally Sports
- Live stream: Fubo
- NBA League Pass
Injury report
For the Thunder, Waters III and Williams will not be playing the game due to a lower back and hip injury. On the other hand, Oubre will not be playing the game for the 76ers due to rib injury.
Key matchups
Arriving at the matchup, the Thunder boasts an impressive six-game winning streak, marking their lengthiest stretch of victories since the 2018-19 season. However, the team is currently grappling with an NBA inquiry regarding allegations surrounding guard Josh Giddey, suggesting an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. Giddey, who is 21, refrained from providing any comments when approached on Friday.
Labeling the matter as a “personal affair,” head coach Mark Daigneault opted not to elaborate further on the issue. The 11-4 commencement for Oklahoma City marks its most promising start after 15 games since the 2013-14 season.
The 76ers find themselves among the NBA’s top rebounding teams, securing an average of 45.9 rebounds per game, whereas the Thunder are positioned near the bottom with 41.5 rebounds per game. Daigneault emphasized that the team’s challenges in rebounding should not be interpreted as a lack of toughness.
In the midst of their victorious run, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City has been delivering outstanding performances, averaging 32.5 points and 6.3 assists, with an impressive 56.7 percent shooting from the field.
Contrastingly, the 76ers, who previously enjoyed an eight-game winning streak early in the season, have encountered a downturn, losing four of their last six games, including the most recent two defeats.
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