The Thunder continue to search for their first road win of the season Monday when Oklahoma City travels to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Both OKC and the Orlando Magic are the only teams in the NBA without a road win so far this season.
Monday night may be the night for Oklahoma City to get that elusive road victory. The Thunder have already beaten Golden State twice this season, a 120-92 win at home back on October 27, followed by a 114-108 victory at Chesapeake Energy Arena on November 10.
The last time out, Oklahoma City fell at home to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 130-127 loss was the seventh game this season, as well as the third straight, that the Thunder had lost by five points or less.
According to Thunder digital reporter, Paris Lawson, head coach Billy Donovan believes that despite ending in losses, the close games are providing his young team with important learning opportunities.
“We’ve just got to keep getting better and learning from those situations,” said Donovan. “We’re going to go through these experiences, we need to get better from them, we need to learn from them.”
The Thunder will be without Hamidou Diallo, who suffered a hyperextended right elbow against the Lakers. He was ruled out against the Warriors on Sunday, and no time table for his return has been given.
The Warriors are dealing with injuries of their own. Steve Kerr did say Friday, however, that he expects Draymond Green to return against the Thunder after missing two games with a sore heel.
Tip-off Monday night is at 9:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Oklahoma as well as on the radio via 98.1 FM WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network.