The Oklahoma City Thunder faced a setback on Friday night, losing 106-98 to the Dallas Mavericks in a game that highlighted the absence of star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 19 points, but the team struggled to find scoring support, as no other player reached double digits. Despite winning in rebounding and turnover categories, the Thunder could not secure the victory, prompting them to focus on their next challenge against the Brooklyn Nets.

As they prepare for the Nets, the Thunder may again be without Gilgeous-Alexander, who is listed as a game-time decision. The Nets, meanwhile, will also be missing key players like Cameron Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic due to injuries. Oklahoma City has lost only two consecutive games once this season, and they will aim to avoid a repeat performance. Williams will need to elevate his offensive production, taking on a leadership role in Gilgeous-Alexander's potential absence.