Two of the NBA's brightest young stars will collide tonight inside Chesapeake Energy Arena when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder meet Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic is playing at an MVP level averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. SGA comes in leading the Thunder at 19.8 points a game but in the six contests he's kicked it up a few notches averaging 27 points on 53.4% shooting overall and 45% on threes. He's also been outstanding on defense, with his long arms helping him average 2.2 steals per game.
The Mavs are in fifth place in the Western Conference but they've slowed their pace recently going just 5-5 in their last 10 games. OKC meanwhile has won seven of the last 10 and six of the last seven. Over their last 17 games the Thunder are 12-5. At the start of the season some believed the Thunder might struggle to win 20-25 games, they've won 17 already as we come to the end of December and that includes having to fight through the NBA's most difficult schedule in October and November.
This should be a fun one tonight. Tipoff set for 7:10.