Suns at Thunder
Russell Westbrook already has missed half of his team's 0-4 start and is questionable for the Oklahoma City Thunder's matchup with the visiting Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The former MVP returned two games ago from a knee injury to score 32 points and hand out eight assists in a loss to Sacramento, but he slumped to 13 points on 5-of-20 shooting in a 101-95 loss to Boston on Thursday.
Westbrook did not participate in Saturday's practice as the Thunder looked for ways to avoid their first 0-5 start since 2007. "You just try to work on those things that are creating a problem on the film, and then you show them to the guys and then get on the court and try to work on them," coach Billy Donovan told reporters. "You create situations that are random where they have to spontaneously communicate as things are happening. They generally get better when it's live and more random." The Suns also have lost four straight after beginning their two-game road trip with a 117-96 defeat at Memphis on Saturday. Leading scorer Devin Booker missed the game with a hamstring strain and is day-to-day.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE SUNS (1-4): Booker's absence gave rookie center Deandre Ayton another chance to shoulder the load, and he responded with 24 points on 12-of-13 shooting. The 20-year-old is averaging 22 points while shooting 76.3 percent over his last three games. Forward Josh Jackson, expected to be a key contributor after averaging 13.1 points as a rookie, was held to eight points at Memphis and is averaging 5.8 on 9-of-32 shooting during a four-game slump.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (0-4): Oklahoma City entered Saturday ranked last in the NBA in field-goal percentage (39.1) and 3-point percentage (24.1), and leading scorer Paul George is one of the primary culprits. The five-time All-Star was 7-for-22 from the floor against the Celtics while going a season-worst 2-for-10 from long range. Guard Dennis Schroder was expected to provide a nice boost on the offensive end after averaging 19.4 points with Atlanta last season, but he is shooting only 30 percent through the first four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Oklahoma City has won 13 straight meetings at home.
2. Thunder PF Nerlens Noel is 10-for-12 from the field over his last three games.
3. Booker averaged 31.7 points in three matchups with Oklahoma City last season.