Game 4: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) vs. Dallas Mavericks (1-2) | 7:30pm CST

[SleepingHero]

[Smitty]

@KevinGraySports
Dereck Lively II is DOUBTFUL tonight with a right knee contusion and Daniel Gafford is DOUBTFUL with his right ankle sprain

Brandon Williams is QUESTIONABLE (personal reasons) tonight for the Mavericks

[Smitty]

Thunder injury report for tomorrow's game against the Mavericks:

Jalen Williams (wrist surgery) is out
Chet Holmgren (back soreness) is questionable
Alex Caruso (concussion) is out
Isaiah Joe (knee contusion) is out
Kenrich Williams (knee surgery) is out
Nikola Topic (testicular surgery) is out
Thomas Sorber (torn ACL) is out

[Chicagojk]

that sucks about Lively. Injuries happen.   looks like OKC is missing bodies too.

I was wondering if they were slowly ramping Lively up.  He didn't get huge minutes in preseason.  Game 1 he was in foul trouble, but games 2 and 3 he was not.    Wonder if they were bringing him along slowly or if they have concerns anything over 20 minutes is too much.  I hope not.   He too didn't get much summer due to surgery.

[KillerLeft]

that sucks about Lively. Injuries happen.   looks like OKC is missing bodies too.

I was wondering if they were slowly ramping Lively up.  He didn't get huge minutes in preseason.  Game 1 he was in foul trouble, but games 2 and 3 he was not.    Wonder if they were bringing him along slowly or if they have concerns anything over 20 minutes is too much.  I hope not.   He too didn't get much summer due to surgery.

My guess is that it's more about maintenance (avoiding injuries) than injuries. Could be wrong, but I'm totally ok if they sit people on some back to backs.

[Smitty]

that sucks about Lively. Injuries happen.   looks like OKC is missing bodies too.

I was wondering if they were slowly ramping Lively up.  He didn't get huge minutes in preseason.  Game 1 he was in foul trouble, but games 2 and 3 he was not.    Wonder if they were bringing him along slowly or if they have concerns anything over 20 minutes is too much.  I hope not.   He too didn't get much summer due to surgery.

I think sitting Lively on B2B's is the right thing to do. I also think his minutes should be 18-24 mpg throughout the regular season.

[mvossman]

@KevinGraySports
Dereck Lively II is DOUBTFUL tonight with a right knee contusion and Daniel Gafford is DOUBTFUL with his right ankle sprain

Brandon Williams is QUESTIONABLE (personal reasons) tonight for the Mavericks

Wonder if they start Dlo with two centers out?  Replace Klay with Max and you probably have their best lineup.  I also wonder if we see some small ball with PJ at center and Flagg at the 4.

[myconsumerclub]

They may need to see what Cisse can do

[Smitty]

Dallas Mavericks Starters vs. Oklahoma City Thunder:

G Cooper Flagg
G Max Christie
F Klay Thompson
F P.J. Washington
C Anthony Davis

[mvossman]

Dallas Mavericks Starters vs. Oklahoma City Thunder:

G Cooper Flagg
G Max Christie
F Klay Thompson
F P.J. Washington
C Anthony Davis

Lol.  Anything to keep creation off the floor.

[Smitty]

I expect to see some PJW small ball 5 and more minutes for Martin to chase SGA around some.

[Deebo]

lol gonna get blown out

[SwisherPrice]

Max Christie is back and he might be here to stay! Looking unstoppable again like after the trade last season

[Smitty]

2-7 from the FT line in the first. 1-5 from PJ alone.

[RasheedsBigWhiteSpot]

Retiring Mark Aguirre's number is ridiculous. He was an overrated cancer.

[Smitty]

Defense looks very good. Thunder hit a lot of tough shots. Mavs getting a lot of open looks and missing them. Story of the first half.

[Jym]

Refs being friendly so far but I wonder what that means for the second half
Thunder ended the half 0/2 at the freethrow line

[Kidnova]

I think sitting Lively on B2B's is the right thing to do. I also think his minutes should be 18-24 mpg throughout the regular season.

People were saying the same before the season, and if the Mavs' FO feels the same way then IMO they should trade him while his value is still reasonable.  If he can't give the 30 mins regularly at age 21 because his body can't handle it that's not likely to improve with age.

[Chicagojk]

Man this offense is tough to watch. Both teams have missed a ton of shots. Credit defense by both teams a bit, but Dallas has absolutely nothing to go to to get in a flow. Just a really tough watch.

[Deebo]

Flagg looks bad too. His not as good a we thought. Season looks like a disaster