The next matchup of the Magic City is a tough one as it is against the 405. Not only have the Oklahoma City Thunder been dominating this season, they are currently second in the Western Conference rankings. Their star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been having a great season with 31.5 points per game posing a big threat to the Miami Heat. Even though the Heat have a star-studded team themselves, however, most of them are out due to their respective injuries.

But as this is a very important match for the Heat, will their cornerstone Jimmy Butler who has already missed 4-games in a row make his comeback to attain glory for his team?

Jimmy Butler once again disappoints the Sunshine State

Making it his fifth game in a row, Jimmy Butler is out of the Thunders game due to a Right Toe MP Joint Sprain. Prior to this, he was out due to a calf sprain however returned to the court against the Utah Jazz just to get injured again. After barely playing for 23 minutes, he left in the middle of the match due to a toe injury he incurred in that game and has been out ever since. So, in the 24 games Butler has played, he has averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game showing how important he is for the team.

Read More: Jimmy Butler and Caitlin Clark’s 131.2 Billion Company Collab Lures Pacers Legend Despite Newfound Obsession

Not only him, but two of the Heats star players Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin are listed as questionable, with one having a wrist sprain and the other one having a right ankle sprain. But apart from that, the Magic City has a great squad consisting of stars like Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. This matchup is the first match of the two teams this season as the last time they clashed against each other was in January 2023 and the Heat were victorious that time.

But as the star forward of the Heat, Jimmy Butler is not there to support them, the result can be different this time. Even though the match is being played at Kaseya Center with the 3x NBA champions, will they be able to contain the young OKC squad?

OKC coming in this matchup with a vengeance

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s explosive attacking prowess has been highlighted by excellent performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their young stars, namely Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Josh Giddey. They’ve shown their incredible attacking strength throughout the season, averaging an astonishing 122.2 points per game. Not only their offensive, but their defensive skills have also been impressive as they have allowed only 114.6 points on 44.7 percent shooting.

The Thunder have shown their potential on both sides of the floor with a dedication to perimeter defense and strong rebounding awareness, averaging 40.7 boards per game. So, this youthful OKC team is not only strong but also resilient,ruth due to which the match between them and the Heat’s seasoned players will be a delight to watch. Who do you think will emerge victorious, the youthful 405 or the seasoned Sunshine State? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch this Story: Who Has Reached 10000 Career Points Faster Than Luka Doncic?