The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz will meet on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 9:30 PM ET.
This matchup marks both teams' return from the NBA All-Star break, and the stakes feel particularly lopsided. The Thunder, boasting an impressive 44-10 record, rank first overall in the Western Conference, whereas the Jazz with just 13 wins sit at the bottom of the standings. Historically speaking, the Thunder have dominated this season's encounters, winning both previous matchups, the latest being on January 22.
Heading to this game, the Thunder aim to bounce back from their last result – a 116-101 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the tough loss, star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 24 points, though he struggled with efficiency. Meanwhile, the Jazz are reeling from their own heart-wrenching overtime loss to the LA Clippers on February 20, finishing narrowly 120-116, with Lauri Markkanen contributing 20 points.
Today, the injury reports reveal challenges for both teams. For the Thunder, Nikola Topic is out for the season due to ACL concerns, and Ajay Mitchell is sidelined with a toe injury. The Jazz will also be missing key contributors: Collin Sexton is out with ankle issues, and Taylor Hendricks is also ruled out due to a fibula fracture.
The Thunder come in as heavy favorites, with the gambling lines indicating Oklahoma City to win by 15 points, evidencing the sportsbook's view of the significant performance gap between these two franchises. With thoughts on gambling, the Thunder have commanded over half the bets on the spread so far, reflecting strong public support.
Listen for the live broadcast on the FanDuel Sports Network and tune in via streaming services, including Fubo. This game marks not only the first post-All-Star break test for both squads but also as the Thunder seek to reestablish their rhythm against what many anticipate will be an easy victory against the faltering Jazz.
Despite struggling recently, the Jazz shouldn't be entirely overlooked. They've shown flashes of competitive spirit through high-percentage shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, having made 14 out of 33 three-point attempts last game. If their defense can contain the Thunder's explosive perimeter shooting, the Jazz might just keep the game closer than many expect.
Fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see if the Thunder can display their depth and star power once again. The starting lineup featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein seems poised to deliver after days of rest, contrasting against Utah's dwindling rotation.
Time is running short for both teams this season with the playoffs looming. For the Thunder, securing a win is imperative to maintain their lead, whereas for the Jazz, it's about grasping any semblance of momentum as the season enters its latter stages.