OKC Thunder key takeaways from NBA game of the year

Several lessons should be pulled from recent play and his game in particular.

Better starts:

During the three game losing streak, a commonality is OKC isn’t winning the first quarter. Washington, Minnesota and San Antonio all bested the Thunder in their wins. Given the records of the first two squads, injuries to the Wizards and San Antonio having played the night prior this is completely unacceptable.

The Thunder runs the fourth fastest pace in the NBA but aren’t jumping on teams to start games. This is an easily fixable issue and one Donovan should drill home to the squad.

Will Steven Adams play Saturday?

The frontcourt could take a huge hit if Steven Adams ankle tweak swells rendering him unavailable for Saturday. First of all, the timing of the injury was extremely unlucky because for as much as Aldridge was on fire, as soon as Adams left the court Popovich immediately served up a constant and repeated dose of LMA offense.

This because Adams was pretty much the only Thunder (at least individually) who could stop Aldridge. Hindsight is 20-20, but you have to think if Adams doesn’t leave the game the Thunder would’ve pulled this game out in regulation.  Of note: from the moment Adams left the game (with 5 mins remaining in fourth quarter) Aldridge scores 22 of his 56 points! So, if you’re thinking Adams maybe didn’t do his best job defending LMA, imagine how many points the Spurs big man gets without the big Kiwi playing!