Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder (Image via Getty) The Philadelphia 76ers head to Oklahoma City on December 28, 2025, for a road matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It is a meeting between a steady Eastern Conference playoff team and a Thunder group that has been the league’s most reliable team through the first two months of the season.Philadelphia comes in at 16-11, sitting fourth in the East. Oklahoma City owns a 25-3 record and has been difficult to slow down at home. The Thunder have won 14 of their 16 games at Paycom Center, controlling pace and limiting mistakes. For the Sixers, this game is another test of how well they can compete against elite teams while dealing with an uncertain rotation.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Injury situation and lineup questions (December 28, 2025)
Philadelphia 76ers’ biggest concern is the status of Joel Embiid, who is listed as questionable due to right knee management. If he does not play, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona are expected to handle most of the minutes at center. V.J. Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow are all questionable with illness. Kelly Oubre Jr. (left knee) and Trendon Watford (left adductor) are ruled out.Oklahoma City Thunder has fewer issues. Jaylin Williams (heel), Ajay Mitchell (concussion), and Ousmane Dieng (calf) are game-time decisions. Nikola Topic remains out long term with a knee injury. The Thunder expect their main rotation players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to be available.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game time and setting (December 28, 2025)
The game tips off at 8:30 PM ET (6:30 PM local time) at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City Thunder enters as a clear favorite. The Thunder average 121.3 points per game, second in the NBA, and allow just 107.4, the best mark in the league. Philadelphia 76ers have been solid away from home at 7-5, but this is one of the toughest environments they will face.
Where to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder game 9December 28, 2025)
The game will air on FDSOK in Oklahoma City and NBC Sports Philadelphia. It can also be streamed on NBA League Pass, the ESPN app, YouTube TV, and Fubo. Viewers in India can watch through NBA League Pass. Live stats and highlights will be available on ESPN, NBA.com, and Sofascore.
Key players to watch in tonight’s Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.1 points and 6.5 assists and remains the engine of Oklahoma City’s offense. Chet Holmgren continues to anchor the defense in the paint. Philadelphia relies heavily on Tyrese Maxey, who is averaging 30.8 points and 7.0 assists and carries the scoring load, especially when Embiid is limited. Player Team PPG RPG APG Key Edge Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC 32.1 4.9 6.5 Primary scorer Tyrese Maxey PHI 30.8 4.4 7.0 Speed and creation Chet Holmgren OKC 17.9 7.8 1.6 Rim defense Joel Embiid* PHI 21.8 6.5 2.8 *Questionable
76ers vs Thunder Prediction outlook
Oklahoma City is expected to control the game and win by around 8 to 12 points, with the total projected in the mid-220s. Player props lean toward Gilgeous-Alexander scoring over 31.5 points. Maxey’s scoring line becomes more favorable if Embiid does not play. For Philadelphia to stay close, limiting turnovers against Oklahoma City’s aggressive defense will be critical.