Game Grades: OKC Thunder start season on a two game losing skid

The OKC Thunder dropped their second consecutive game to start the season. Post game grades examines player performances.

To start the season the OKC Thunder are 0-2. Unlike their first match facing a loaded All-Star squad this game was deemed winnable. Although there were hints Russell Westbrook would return it was deemed he wasn’t ready to play quite yet. At one point Westbrook was seen with a jersey peeking out of his suit on the bench. In the end, the Thunder could have used his services as this lack luster loss was not expected.

Both the Thunder and LA Clippers came into Friday Night searching for their first win of the win. The Clippers dropped their home opener to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, while the Thunder lost a tough one in Golden State Tuesday night.

The Clippers started on a 16-0 run as the Thunder missed their first eight shots of the night. A Paul George layup with eight minutes remaining in the first broke that streak.

Jerami Grant was the first player off the bench for OKC, reliving Patrick Patterson. Alex Abrines almost single handedly turned this game around for the OKC Thunder, with a brilliant first half. Terrance Ferguson, with five minutes to go in the half pulled a three ball from the parking lot to tie the game at 35-all.

At halftime the Thunder trailed by a pair (48-46), and they kept that momentum going in the second half to start when they eventually captured a nine point lead. The tale of this game, with the tale of many Thunder games throughout the last two years. The Clippers made it rain from deep hitting the trey ball at a 44 percent clip to the Thunder’s 22 percent. That three point percentage has to improve.

For the second straight game the Thunder gave up 108 points. While missing Russell Westbrook and Andre Roberson are a factor in that, this Clippers offense should not have the fire power to blitz the Thunder for over the century mark.

That was not enough, as the Thunder saw that lead disappear and saw their record fall to 0-2 without Russell Westbrook.  In the Western Conference every game matters, and it will not shock anyone if this loss in a game they should’ve had, costs the Thunder a place in the standings.