It’s early days but the OKC Thunder have already made a statement this season. Not a single analyst can put a blemish on this side with their hot takes. But here’s one; OKC can get bested by experienced sides. And that’s exactly what the Warriors have in abundance. Good thing for Oklahoma, they won’t have to keep everyone waiting for long to prove this as just another hot take as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. will welcome Stephen Curry‘s in-form Dubs at Paycom Center on Sunday.

Before diving into the details of this exciting matchup, let’s take a look at the players who might miss the game due to injury.

Warriors vs Thunder: Injury Report

The Warriors have dodged a bullet this time, as they have no injured players ahead of their clash. In contrast, the Thunder will host the Dubs without four of their players, as per ESPN. The first name to give the game a miss is Kenrich Williams’, who is still recovering from right knee surgery. Jaylin Williams too has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury and is expected to return to action in a few weeks.

A significant blow for the Thunder early this season has been Isaiah Hartenstein‘s left hand fracture, which forced them to adjust their strategies. The final name on the list is Nikola Topic, who won’t be able to join the squad this season due to his left ACL procedure. However, the Thunder’s starting five won’t let the Warriors establish their dominance so easily without putting up a tough fight. So, let us quickly find out who can be spotted in tonight’s awaited clash.

Warriors vs Thunder: Depth Chart and Regular Season H2H

After a tough defeat against the Cavaliers, the Warriors will be eager to bounce back with a win, and what better way to do that than by facing one of the strongest teams in the West? The Warriors will go all in with their top five to snatch the eighth victory. However, this season has been challenging for Stephen Curry, who has already missed three games and seen a decline in his deep shooting production. But as Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said before the game, “If you blink, he’s going to be open, and he’s going to shoot and make a shot.” The 4-time champion cannot be taken lightly.

Switching places with Curry in the shooting department will be Buddy Hield, who has become an integral part of the Blue and Gold. Andrew Wiggins too has stepped up this season, delivering stunning performances. The Warriors prioritized his spot again in the roster while Draymond Green will lead the defense. Since Curry’s time on the court has been limited now, we can expect to see more playing time from De’Anthony Melton.

To face the San Francisco side, Daigneault will stick with his usual starters, but with a greater emphasis on the defense. The team will be led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has continued to impress with his leadership and playmaking since last season. Cason Wallace will join Shai to guard the net, while Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams will be expected to push the numbers on the scoreboard. Chet Holmgren, with his mastery on both ends of the floor, will be the cherry on top for OKC.

When it comes to championship success, the Warriors have seven rings to flaunt, while the Thunder have yet to capture one. But, in terms of regular season victories, the Thunder hold a clear advantage. In the last two regular seasons, both teams won four games each. However, when looking at the overall head-to-head record, the Thunder are ahead, with 145 wins compared to the Warriors’ 122.

Nevertheless, the debate over who has the upper hand in the Western clash remains unsettled, as both teams are going toe-to-toe, with the Thunder holding one more win (8-1) than the Warriors (7-2). Could the Warriors showcase their supremacy and even the scores or will it be yet another victory for the formidable OKC side? Set your alarm clock for 7:00 PM ET to get all your answers as Curry’s Warriors face off against the younger Thunder team.