Thunder Gameday: Russell Westbrook Returns to OKC As An L.A. Clipper to Disrupt Win Streak

Fresh off of a blowout victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder will once again take to its home court to face Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Clippers and look for a third straight win.
Thunder Gameday: Russell Westbrook Returns to OKC As An L.A. Clipper to Disrupt Win Streak
Thunder Gameday: Russell Westbrook Returns to OKC As An L.A. Clipper to Disrupt Win Streak /
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Returning to Paycom Center for the first time as a Los Angeles Clipper, former Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will have eyes set on the prize, but maybe a piece of his mind set on the past. 

It's been four full seasons since the point guard donned Oklahoma City's classic Orange and Blue threads, but playing under the same lights he did for 11 seasons is certain to supply a welcome moment for Thunder and any visiting Clipper fans alike. 

But the game is much bigger than just one player. 

The Thunder currently sits at No. 2 in the Western Conference, boasting a 17-8 record and a two-game win streak entering Thursday night's contest, while the Clippers sit just 1.5 games behind at the No. 6 seed. Both teams are in prime position to make a run in the postseason, so their first meeting of the season will be a strong indicator of where they stand against other contending squads.

In other words, if both teams show up, Paycom Center is in for a great night of basketball. 

Dec 14, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) walks to the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center / © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enters the day as four-point underdogs to the Clippers, with the total over/under set at 234.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Oklahoma City has faced a team on both ends of the Western Conference spectrum. First up was a trip to Denver to face Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. The Thunder came up big with a win on the last shot of the game to erase a loss the game before. 

After that, it took care of business against the struggling Memphis Grizzlies — still then without Ja Morant. That win was more of an expectation than a hope, and Oklahoma City proved it in blowout fashion. Chet Holmgren's defensive impact was huge in those games, too, as he registered 15 blocks over the course of them to boost his case for both Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

If the Thunder can prove itself against another strong Western Conference and play at the level it did against the Nuggets and Holmgren continues to impact games the way he has, it'll put itself in prime position to secure another victory. 

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (17-8) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (16-10)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. CST

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal


If Oklahoma City can secure a victory Thursday night, a three-game win streak will certainly match its level of play as of late. It has looked strong, dominant and above all else, comfortable against any opponents it's faced thus far.

And ideally, the Clippers will tell the same story.


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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a 19-year-old sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Missouri pursuing a degree in journalism with a sports writing and reporting emphasis, along with a sports analytics certificate. He serves as a staff writer and reporter for the SI/FanNation network covering collegiate sports, pro football and pro basketball.