OKC Thunder – Atlanta game preview: Dennis Schroder seeks revenge and Trae Young returns home

OKC Thunder host Atlanta as Dennis Schroder gets his first revenge shot at his former Hawks squad and Trae Young returns to play in Oklahoma. Preview offers keys to the win.

This evenings clash featuring the OKC Thunder and Atlanta Hawks will be one of the Thunder’s most captivating contests of the year. Despite the fact, Atlanta is currently 12-games under .500 and are tied with the Bulls for the NBA’s third-worst record.

The reason the matchup offers such intrigue is due to two players involved, the Thunder’s Dennis Schroder and the Hawks Trae Young. Schroder will have the opportunity to offer up a revenge game vs. the only other NBA team he has ever known.

While Young an Oklahoma Native will make his lone visit to the Peake in his rookie season. Young’s hometown is Norman, a suburb of Oklahoma City. He attended Norman North High School. Upon graduating he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. He played one season collegiately before entering the 2018 NBA draft.

Much like when current Sacramento Kings and former Sooner’s star Buddy Hield returned to the Peake, Young will most likely receive some raucous cheers.

Reminiscing notable revenge games in OKC Thunder history.

• Kevin Durant – 11/3/16: 39 points, 15-24, 62.5 percent shooting, 7-11, 63.6 percent 3-point shooting. The Warriors dominated Oklahoma City ultimately winning by a margin of 26.
• Serge Ibaka – 11/13/16: 31 points, 13-19, 68.7 percent shooting. The former OKC shot blocker sealed the game with a game-winning elbow jumper. Stunning the Thunder in a 119-117 Magic victory.
• Reggie Jackson – 11/27/15: 15 points, 4-16, 25.0 percent shooting. OKC easily handled the Pistons, winning by 20 points.
• James Harden – 11/28/2012: 17 points, 3-16, 18.8 percent shooting, his poor performance resulted in a 17-point loss. However, Harden’s struggles against the Thunder did not last long. In February 2013, Harden registered 46 points, on an astounding 73.7 percent shooting, resulting in an eight-point Houston win.
• Enes Kanter – 10/19/17: 10 points, 5-10, 50.0 percent shooting. Despite the standing ovation, it was anything but a storybook return for Kanter, as the Knicks lost by 22 points.
• Victor Oladipo – 10/25/17: 35 points, 11-18, 61.1 percent shooting. Vic’s big night was not enough for Indiana to take out the Thunder, as they lost 96-114.

OKC Players getting revenge of their own

• Paul George vs. Indiana, 10/25/17: 10 points, 4-8, 50.0 percent shooting. George never got much going before he ultimately fouled out. But, Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony combined for 56 points propelling Oklahoma City to an 18 point victory.
• Melo vs. New York, 10/19/17: 22 points, 8-20, 40.0 percent shooting. Melo’s Oklahoma City debut demonstrated how the team hoped to utilize Hoodie Melo. However, outside of a few occasions, the success could not be duplicated.
• Kanter vs. Utah, 03/28/15: 18 points, 7-13, 53.8 percent shooting. Kanter’s discord with the Jazz is documented. Thanks in part to Trevor Booker’s trash talk, Kanter’s Utah return was spoiled. The Jazz defeated OKC 94-89.
• Oladipo vs. Orlando, 11/13/16: 12 points, 6-9, 66.7 percent shooting. Mr. Feathery shot the ball well, but he did not shoot a lot, which allowed the Magic to edge OKC in a 119-117 contest.
• Dion Waiter vs. Cleveland, 01/25/15: 14 points, 5-15, 33.3 percent shooting. Dr. Dion attempted to put on a show, but alas LeBron was too much to overcome, as OKC succumbed to Cavs 108-98.