The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Al Horford for the second game in a row, but forward Darius Bazley is available to play against the Chicago Bulls, head coach Mark Daigneault said prior to the game on Friday.
Horford did not play the game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The second night of a back-to-back, it was believed to be for rest purposes after he did not play the first back-to-back of the season either.
He will miss the game on Friday night for personal reasons.
Bazley suffered a right ankle sprain against the Lakers and did not return in the blowout loss after exiting from it, but he is available on Friday and Daigneault said he will play.
Forward Isaiah Roby will start next to Bazley, Daigneault said.
Bazley, in about 30 minutes per game, is averaging 10.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.3 3-pointers per game. His numbers are improvements over last season, though his shooting percentages remain low.
Horford is averaging 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists to go with 1.8 3-pointers per game.
Roby is averaging 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds over 17.8 minutes per game. In the two games he started, he is averaging 15 points and eight boards.
Tipoff between the Thunder (5-6) and the Bulls (4-7) is scheduled for 7 p.m.
