OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 2 | 2024-25 NBA season

The OKC Thunder and the LA Clippers will look to start the new year with a victory when the two Western Conference teams clash on the second day of 2025 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City at 8 p.m. EST.

The Thunder have been the hottest team in the NBA, winning 16 of their last 17 games, including the last 12. OKC went to the finals of the Emirates NBA Cup but lost to eventual in-season tournament champions Milwaukee Bucks. That loss, though, doesn't count toward their regular season record.

The Thunder are 14-2 at home and boast an impressive 27-5 win-loss record t take the top spot in the West. They are 18-5 against Western Conference teams. OKC beat the Clippers in their first two meetings of the season.

MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the Thunder to an astounding start. He's averaging 31.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. SGA, who was drafted by the LA Clippers in the 2018 NBA draft, has scored at least 40 points in three of their last five games.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have been on a solid start this year, despite playing without superstar Kawhi Leonard. They are sixth in the West with a 19-14 win-loss record, including five wins in their last seven games. The Clippers have a 14-13 record against West teams.

James Harden has led the Clippers this season, averaging 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Moreover, Norman Powell has been putting up 24.3 points per game to carry the offensive load for the Clips.

---

OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

OKC Thunder Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Despite winning games this season, the OKC Thunder have been inconsistent with their starting lineup. However, coach Mark Daigneault is expected to field Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Ajay Mitchell
Shooting Guard	Cason Wallace	Alex Caruso
Small Forward	Lu Dort	Aaron Wiggins
Power Forward	Jalen Williams	Kenrich Williams	Ousmane Dieng
Center	Isaiah Hartenstein	Jaylin Williams

LA Clippers Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

The LA Clippers, coached by former NBA champion Ty Lue, are expected to start James Harden, Kris Dunn, Norman Powell, Derrick Jones Jr. and Ivica Zubac.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	James Harden	Kevin Porter Jr.	Bones Hyland
Shooting Guard	Kris Dunn	Terance Mann
Small Forward	Norman Powell	Amir Coffey	Jordan Miller
Power Forward	Derrick Jones Jr.	Kobe Brown
Center	Ivica Zubac	Mo Bamba	Kai Jones

---

OKC Thunder vs LA Clippers: Injury Reports

OKC Thunder injury report

The OKC Thunder will be missing a promising big man and a key rotational player. The Thunder will continue to be without Chet Holmgren, who injured his hip in November, while Alex Caruso is questionable due to a hip strain.

LA Clippers injury report

The LA Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard due to a knee injury, while Terance Mann is out because of a finger injury. PJ Tucker, meanwhile, misses out due to personal reasons.