The Atlanta Hawks visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, December 29, with tip-off at 8:00 PM ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Atlanta enters the matchup with a 15-18 record and is 10th in the Eastern Conference, while Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference at 27-5 and has the league’s best net rating.
The Hawks are coming off a six-game losing streak after losing 128-125 to New York on Dec. 27 and 126-111 to Miami the night before.
Oklahoma City is coming off a 129-104 win over Philadelphia on December 28 and bounces back from a 130-110 road loss to San Antonio on December 23.
The one from Atlanta injury report has been extended and has a significant impact on its rotation, led by the absence of Trae Young, who is out with a right side contusion.
Jalen Johnson is also unavailable due to illness, removing Atlanta’s leading scorer with 23.8 points per game, along with his 10.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
Kristaps Porzingis remains out due to an illness, while N’Faly Dante continues to recover from a torn right ACL, shrinking the Hawks’ frontcourt.
With Young sidelined, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels are expected to take on expanded backcourt responsibilities after combining for 31.8 points per game.
Onyeka Okongwu will be a focal point inside, averaging 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while anchoring Atlanta’s interior defense.
Oklahoma City also has notable absences, though the core on both ends of the floor remains intact and productive.
Isaiah Hartenstein is out with a left soleus injury, and Jaylin Williams remains sidelined with right heel bursitis, limiting rotation options in the frontcourt.
Ousmane Dieng is unavailable due to a right calf injury, while Ajay Mitchell is listed as doubtful due to a left shin contusion.
Despite the injuries, the Thunder continue to lean on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 32.0 points on 55.6 percent shooting with 6.4 assists per game.
Chet Holmgren provides efficient scoring and rim protection, posting 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
The teams met once earlier this season, with Oklahoma City earning a 117-100 road victory on Oct. 25 in Atlanta.
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