Oklahoma City’s perfect start meets a Mavericks team searching for an answer to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—and clarity on its own availability.
Oklahoma City brings a 4-0 record and the No. 1 power-index ranking into Dallas, where the Mavericks are 2-2 and ranked 18th. The Thunder own a plus-42 point differential and allow 100.75 points per game, while Dallas scores 112.5 but has been outscored by 14 overall. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 109 points in four games; Cooper Flagg has 75 in three, and Dallas’ challenge gets tougher if questionable Kyrie Irving cannot play. Oklahoma City will be without Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, with Ajay Mitchell questionable, while Dereck Lively II is out for Dallas—the available ballhandling and frontcourt depth could decide whether the Mavericks can threaten the unbeaten visitors.