OKC Thunder continue to roll in preseason – 3 takeaways from another easy victory

OKC Thunder improved to 2-1 during the pre-season with a win over the Atlanta Hawks. This win provided three key takeaways.

The OKC Thunder traveled up the road to Tulsa to host the Atlanta Hawks in the BOK Center. It was a bit of a homecoming of sorts for a pair of players in today’s contest. Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson was born and raised in Tulsa, and was drafted by the hometown Thunder. Trae Young, a Norman native and OU superstar returned to the state of Oklahoma this time as an NBA player for the Hawks.

Terrance Ferguson‘s night ended early, when he took a blow to the head and was evaluated for a concussion. Add him to the injury report along with Russell Westbrook, and Andre Roberson both out for the remainder of the preseason. For Roberson of course, he will be sidelined until at least December. Abdel Nader is also out with knee soreness and has yet to see preseason action.

Three key takeaways from this Sunday afternoon win:

Paul George is still good: 

With Russell Westbrook sidelined a lot of pressure will be put on Paul George. If Westbrook misses any regular season action George showed the team will be just fine. It helps that Schröder is playing at such a high level right now, but Paul George turned in a good game of his own. George poured in 22 points, including three trey’s.

On the defensive end, the Thunder are missing Andre Roberson. George, a great defender in his own right, helped make up for that; with his six steals during this contest. Paul George also earned a block and six defensive rebounds.

Dennis Schröder impresses…again:

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Against his former team, Dennis Schröder showed why he is the best back up point guard in Thunder history. While that might sound like a bold claim from just three preseason games, and a great Blue and White scrimmage, it really isn’t.

The franchise is entering it’s 11th season, and Schröder only has two names to beat for that title. Reggie Jackson, and Raymond Felton. He looks to have already surpassed both — and we have not even seen him and Russell Westbrook on the floor together yet.

Schröder scored 20 points shooting 64 percent from the floor, and one for two from three point range. Dennis Schröder also collected seven rebounds, and dished out six assists.

The Thunder at the free throw line:

The OKC Thunder shot 36 free throws making 28 of them. That earned them a solid 77.8 percent from the line. The OKC Thunder season average at the charity stripe a year ago was a lowly 71 percent ranking 29th in the NBA.

These shooting woes were among a few key reasons OKC struggled to put teams away last year, especially bad teams. Today, against the basement level Hawks squad, albeit preseason the Thunder kept their foot on the gas and earned a dominant win.

The OKC Thunder will bring the preseason to a close on Tuesday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.