OKC Thunder Shuffle Starting Lineup to Matchup With Lakers

Oklahoma City has been able to race out to an 11-1 start despite dealing with plenty of adversity. The Thunder have yet to see All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, Veteran Kenrich Williams or Rookie guard Nikola Topic debut this season. Along the way, All-Defensive guard Lu Dort, bench bucket getter Aaron Wiggins, Defensive-ace Alex Caruso, Rising Star big man Chet Holmgren and sharpshooter Isaiah Joe miss multiple contests smattered across the first 12 –– a league high in games played and contests lost to injuries to date.

Tonight, the Thunder are on the second leg of a back-to-back –– the only repreive being both contests are home games for the Bricktown Ballers –– after downing the Golden State Warriors less than 24 hours ago they play host to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Many expect the Purple and Gold, who currently sit at 8-3 to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder come April in a competitive Western Conference race. One of the main foes that can prolong this new found parity era that has struck the NBA with the past six champions failing to make it out of the second round.

Tonight, the Thunder are down Dort, Jalen Williams, Wiggins, Kenrich Williams and Topic as they face off with a Lakers team only missing the legendary LeBron James who has yet to make his season debut but ramps up his rehab process in practices with the South Bay Lakers.

Oklahoma City is facing the tough task of defending Luka Doncic without two all-defensive members and the lack of two staple starters has forced Mark Daigneault to shuffle his starting lineup as it was announced 30 minutes before tip.

OKC Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Starting Lineup

OKC Thunder Starters

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
• Ajay Mitchell, G
• Cason Wallace, F
• Chet Holmgren, F
• Isaiah Hartenstein, C

Los Angeles Lakers Starters

• Luka Doncic, G
• Marcus Smart, G
• Austin Reaves, F
• Rui Hachimura, F
• Deandre Ayton, C

Up next, the schedule softens for the Oklahoma City Thunder who are presently fighting in their third contest in four nights yet again this season. After a league high 13 games played since the season opener on Oct. 21 against the Houston Rockets, the Thunder have endured multiple double overtime games, a couple back-to-back sets and two long road trips. Now, they get two days off before heading to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. That game will tip-off a four game in seven night stretch all against sub-par teams. A needed break for the short handed Bricktown Ballers.

Stay tuned to Thunder on SI for complete coverage of this entire season for the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.