OKLAHOMA CITY –
The Oklahoma City Thunder return to Paycom Center on the second night of a back-to-back, facing the Detroit Pistons late Monday night.
The Thunder have won 14 of the past 15 games and defeated the New York Knicks last night 111-110.
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March 29, 2026 09:55 PM
1 min read
Oklahoma City is still fighting off the San Antonio Spurs, who have 8 consecutive games, for the top overall seed in the Western Conference.
The Thunder enter Monday’s game at 59-16, now 2.5 games ahead of the Spurs.
The Pistons will be shorthanded this time around, and OKC is resting key starts Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Last matchup, Detroit defeated Oklahoma City 124-116 in a game that saw the Thunder sit several key player including Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Hartenstein and more.
Thunder vs. Pistons: Where/how to watch
Matchup: Detroit Pistons at Oklahoma City Thunder
Date: Friday, March 30
Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
TV: NBA Sports, Peacock
Thunder playing it safe with injuries
Jalen Williams returned to form against the Knicks on Sunday, scoring 22 points on 7-11 shooting on a minutes restriction. He played 29 minutes compared to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 37.
He’s played just 30 games this year and coming off a high-intensity game last night, the Thunder will sit the All-Star at home tonight.
Along side him on the bench for rest purposes will be Isaiah Hartenstein, who played 24 minutes last night, and is still dealing with a lingering right soleus injury.
He has not played in both ends of a back-to-back since he suffered the injury in November. The team will rely more heavily on Chet Holmgre, Jaylin Williams and Ajay Mitchell in the absence of these two starters.
Pistons staying afloat without Cade Cunningham
Before the injury, Cade Cunningham was in the running for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
He left early during the March 17 game against the Wizards, and the only loss since then was an overtime 130-129 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
A weaker schedule has permitted Detroit to maintain a firm lead for the the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Entering tonight’s matchup with OKC, the Pistons are 4 games up on the Celtics for that spot.
Thunder injury report
Out
• Isaiah Hartenstein – Injury management
• Jalen Williams – Injury management
Pistons injury report
Out
• Cade Cunningham – left lung
• Jalen Duren – right knee
• Tobias Harris – left hip
• Duncan Robinson – right hip
• Isaiah Stewart – left calf
No. 1 seed matters
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of securing home-court advantage.
“It’s very important and not just in the West, in the whole playoffs,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We needed Game 7 at home against Denver (last year) … and then we needed it against Indiana to win the championship, so it’s as important as everything and every team in the NBA that makes the playoffs knows that.”
Gilgeous-Alexander also welcomes the competitive finish to the regular season.
“Last year I had too much time off before the playoff game and the last game I played in the regular season, so I think I was a little bit rusty going into the playoffs,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And I just love to play, so I’ll get a chance to go out there and play a few more games, which will be fun.”
Playoff positioning
Western Conference (Projected)
- Thunder
- Spurs
- Lakers
- Nuggets
- Timberwolves
- Rockets
The Thunder have already clinched a playoff berth and now focus on securing the No. 1 overall seed and home-court advantage throughout the postseason.
Key postseason dates
• NBA Play-In Tournament: April 14-17
• NBA Playoffs begin: April 18
• NBA Finals Game 1: June 3