Injury Update: OKC Thunder Dennis Schroder, Jerami Grant both out versus Blazers
By Alex Mcewen
The OKC Thunder will be without starting forward Jerami Grant and super sixth man Dennis Schroder against the Blazers. T.I. provides an update in their absences.
Late Monday afternoon, OKC Thunder head coach Billy Donovan revealed Oklahoma City would battle the Portland Trailblazers sans Jerami Grant and Dennis Schroder. The news regarding Grant did not come as a shock due to the fact he had been listed as out, since Sunday afternoon.
Grant suffered a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the Thunder’s 26-point comeback victory against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. When the injury occurred Grant grimaced but ultimately stayed in the game, his seven fourth-quarter points helped the Thunder secure a 117-112 road win.
Schroder’s absence caught many off-guard, officially the 25-year-old German guard is out due to personal reasons. According to league sources, Schroder will miss the game due to the birth of he and fiancée Ellen’s first child.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
It is unclear how long Schroder will be out, when Russell Westbrook and his wife Nina, welcomed twin girls earlier this season, Westbrook missed only a single game. Whereas, when Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle welcomed their daughter Wade took a seven-game paternal absence.
After the Blazers game, the Thunder will play one final game against the New Orleans Pelicans before the 2019 All-Star break. Regardless of the route, Schroder decides to take the Thunder and Thunderous Intentions will support him. T.I. also extends congratulations on the new addition to the Schroder family.
Grant and Dennis statistics
This season Schroder has appeared in 54 of the Thunder’s 55 games. During his time of the court, Schroder has averaged 15.7 points on 42.6 percent shooting from the floor and 36.0 percent accuracy from the perimeter. Dennis has also contributed 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
The game Schroder missed was due to a suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation, against the Chicago Bulls. In his absence, OKC defeated the Sacramento Kings 132-113.
Grant is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 13.1 points per game on 52.0 percent shooting from the floor, including 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. Grant is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals per game. He has been an iron man for the OKC Thunder appearing in 113 consecutive games prior to tonight.
Their absences come at a crucial point in the schedule if Oklahoma City defeats Portland tonight they will have four full games of separation between themselves and the Blazers and Rockets. If Portland wins they will gain a full game on the Thunder in the standings. In addition to the full picture if OKC wins tonight they will have won the season series over the division rival Blazers taking a 3-0 series lead.