For the Pelicans, several starters will be absent. Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) is out. Dejounte Murray (hand fracture) is out. CJ McCollum (adductor strain) is out. Herb Jones (shoulder strain) is out. Jose Alvarado (hamstring strain) is out. Jordan Hawkins (back strain) is out. Karlo Matkovic (G League assignment) is out.

The red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans tonight. While both teams are missing key players, the Pelicans are far more severely shorthanded. New Orleans is on a five-game losing streak and in desperate need of a win.

How not having Alex Caruso against the Pelicans adds more problems for the Chet Holmgren-less Thunder. Competing without Chet Holmgren became more complicated for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Alex Caruso was ruled out before their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.