Thunder host Mavericks in NBA Cup opener: 3 Big Things

In a Round 2 rematch with the Dallas Mavericks (16-8), the Oklahoma City Thunder (18-5) look to advance in the NBA Cup and prove they can advance further than they did against the Mavs last postseason. Chet Holmgren is out, but that hasn't stopped OKC from earning the #1 seed for the NBA Cup while they sit atop the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks won't make it easy. Luka and company are top-10 on both sides of the ball, and the winners of seven straight games.

These teams have finished within 5-points of each other in four of their last five matchups. Extra money is on the line for the players. PJSD is affecting Thunder fans trying to focus at work. Juicy stuff for a pre-Christmas matchup.

NBA.com Game Info & Tournament Preview

Tip-off: 8:30 PM | Broadcast: TNT

Oklahoma City is in the sweet spot for Emirates NBA Cup excellence over the next eight days, a Goldilocks team just right for this moment. It isn’t so experienced or veteran-laden, like the Milwaukee Bucks or Dallas Mavericks, that winning this tournament would elicit a yawn (aside from the cash, of course). But it also is more accomplished than the Houston Rockets or Atlanta Hawks, teams that might blink in the bright lights of Las Vegas. The Thunder on Tuesday can avenge a November loss to Dallas if it gets enough scoring help for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC was minus-10 that night in the nine minutes or so he sat). - Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

3⚡Big⚡Things⚡

Get primed and ready for the game, then follow @brandonrahbar and comment live below.

⚡Thunder offense

The Thunder offense, dating back to the Dallas series last postseason, has been underwhelming. The barrage of threes, points, and pretty percentages that defined the 2023-24 season withered in the semi-conference finals and have yet to fully return. While this team is extremely process-oriented, how they fare against the defense that shut them down on the big stage is worth monitoring. Even without Chet.

⚡But Shai.

What has been somewhat overlooked from the 2025 playoff run is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was awesome, even against the Mavs. Here's a reminder:

Shai is still getting better this season, figuring out how to dominate at higher and higher levels. Don't be surprised if he surpasses Luka on the proverbial MVP ladder for good with a masterclass tonight.

⚡Head to the polls

Tell us how you see this game shaping up, and give us your own X-factors on Twitter or in the comments.

Prediction: OKC 111 DAL 89

There I said it.