In the first meeting between these two teams on the season, the Thunder seek to bounce back from its Friday night loss amid several injuries.

Predictions, picks and odds as the OKC Thunder hosts the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Plus, injury updates and news.

Jalen Williams talks about playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Thunder loss vs Mavericks

Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams' role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.

That decision forced the Thunder to stick close to the Mavericks' role players throughout the first quarter. Once Washington scored the first five points, Irving asserted himself and drained a 3-pointer before finishing at the basket with a finger roll to give the Mavericks an early 10-0 lead.

Kyrie Irving highlighted how one of his current Dallas Mavericks teammates can help the team reach new heights.