Less than 24 hours after a hard-fought loss in Denver, the Washinton Wizards (9-46) are back on the road in Oklahoma City as they're set to face the Thunder (38-17). Here's everything you need to know.
WHERE: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: Monumental Sports Network
RADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
TBD
THUNDER:
TBD
TYUS JONES' FACILITATING
Tyus Jones is having the best season of his career and over the last three games, he's only been better. He's scoring the ball efficiently, creating shots for his teammates, and doing it all while taking care of the rock. Here's Jones' statistical breakdown over the last three Wizards games:
- 14 points (6-13 FG), 16 assists, 2 turnovers
- 14 points (5-7 FG), 15 assists, 2 turnovers
- 13 points (5-8 FG), 14 assists, 2 turnovers
Any time you can string together 14+ assists in three straight games while finding ways to get yourself into double-digit scoring, you know you're on a tear. When Jones is on the floor, the Wizards' offense flows smoothly and has a composed attack. He plays at his own pace and is never overwhelmed by the moment. That's what the Wizards will need on Friday night against one of the West's best teams.
KYLE KUZMA'S LEADERSHIP
In his first full season as the bona fide number-one option, Kyle Kuzma is taking it all in stride and playing consistently good basketball. He's averaging a career-high 22 points per game and doing so on a career-best 45.7% shooting from the field.
In Thursday night's game against the Nuggets, Kuzma looked as refreshed and aggressive as ever. While the offense was going through periods of struggle, Kuzma continued to attack, making things happen and keeping the squad alive. He finished with a game-high 31 points on an efficient 12-of-25 shooting from the field and 6-of-8 shooting from deep to go along with 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. That high-level impact is something Kuzma will need to bring to the court once again when the Wizards head into OKC on Friday night. If he can shoulder the load offensively, the team will be in a good position.
CHET HOLMGREN'S VERSATILITY
Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best players in the league and is a sure-fire top-five MVP candidate this season. He's averaging over 31 points per game and seems to never have an off game. While he's the engine that makes the Thunder go, rookie big man Chet Holmgren is the X factor that unlocks the team's ceiling.
Holmgren has been one of the most impactful rookies in the league this season. He's averaging nearly 17 points per game on .535/.396/.771 shooting splits to go along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 blocks. His ability to take over the game on both ends of the floor in a variety of ways makes him incredibly difficult to gameplan for. He's a dynamic shot-blocker. He can hit threes. He can finish in the paint. He can score on or off the ball.
This will certainly be a tough matchup for Wizards center Marvin Bagley III, but it won't all be on him. The Wizards will have to play solid team defense, rotate swiftly, and attack him at the right times on offense.