The Thunder are playing their second game in two nights on Tuesday vs. the Kings, and they have ruled out Chet Holmgren with a back injury. Jalen Williams (wrist) and Isaiah Joe (knee) both also remain out, but Alex Caruso ($4,400, concussion) has been removed the injury report and will play after missing the past three games.
With Williams yet to play this season, Holmgren has taken on a larger role and flourished, averaging 23.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game with a 24.2% usage rate, all of which are career-highs for the big man.
With Holmgren joining Williams on the sidelines, Caruso or Ajay Mitchell ($4,900) should join the Thunder’s starting five and Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,300) should slide over to center. More importantly, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,900) should put up huge numbers. In the five starts the guard has made with both Holmgren and Williams inactive the last two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has led Oklahoma City to a 5-0 record while averaging 32.8 points, 7.8 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, resulting in 54.5 DraftKings FPTS per game.
In these contests, the Kentucky product’s usage rate increases 4.0 percentage points to 39% and his assist rate rises 5.3 percentage points to 35.3%. Facing an average Kings defense that ranks 14th in rating this season, SGA is a strong spend for Tuesday’s five-game slate on DraftKings.
Despite Holmgren being ruled out, the Thunder are a 9.5-point favorite over the Kings on DraftKings Sportsbook.
