OKC Thunder fail to show themselves losing to the Washington Wizards 116-98 at Chesapeake Arena
Player Grades
. PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. RUSSELL WESTBROOK. C+
The Brodie had another uneven game posting 22 points on 9-23 shooting. Despite an average shooting night, Westbrook’s real problem was looking after the rock. Russ had eight turnovers in 37 minutes to continue one of his strangest seasons of his career.
Russell Westbrook was upbeat after an ugly loss, but very interested in putting it in the past: “82 games. You think you’re gonna play good every night, you got another thing coming.” pic.twitter.com/YcEcTPKXpz
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 7, 2019
B+. . SG. Oklahoma City Thunder. TERRANCE FERGUSON
Ferguson box score numbers won’t blow anyone out of the water (five points on 1-4 shooting) but his defense was exceptional on Bradley Beal all night long. The sophomore guard made Beal work for each one of his shots, holding the All-Star to 10-27 shooting.
TFerg is evolving into an elite perimeter defender and has done a fantastic job on some of the leagues best scorers.
SF. Oklahoma City Thunder. PAUL GEORGE. B.
PG13 had one of his quietest games in his recent memory posting 20 points (7-16 from the field, 3-7 from three, 3-4 from the line), four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 36 minutes of action.
George was seen limping in the fourth quarter and Thunder fans will be wondering how serious his injury is.
Paul George Post Game https://t.co/VAe1X9JsOz
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) January 7, 2019
B. . PF. Oklahoma City Thunder. JERAMI GRANT
Grant was the most impressive of all the starters posting 17 points (7-11 from the field, 1-1 from three and 2-2 from the line), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 33 minutes.
Despite his solid showing, he will be remembered for missing one of the biggest poster dunks this season.
This dunk would have been worth 10 points. pic.twitter.com/XptUD756ET
— Boomtown Hoops (@BoomtownHoops) January 7, 2019
B. . C. Oklahoma City Thunder. STEVEN ADAMS
Steven Adams needs to get the ball more. The big kiwi finished with 12 points and eight rebounds but took just two shots in the second half after taking four in the first six minutes.
Steven Adams was 4-4 in the first 6 mins of the game. Over the next 25 mins he attempted 2 shots!!
— Antonio Daniels (@adaniels33) January 7, 2019
The big man needs to demand the ball on the block and become more aggressive when he understands he has a mismatch.