OKC Thunder In the News: Paul George Game 1 status uncertain, OKC earn 21st pick in draft

The OKC Thunder recently jumped into the headlines for positive and negative reasons. Oklahoma City secured the 21st pick in the draft and PG’s status is uncertain for Game 1.

The OKC Thunder will not embark on their post-season journey until tomorrow, but their absence from today’s opening slate did not prevent the team from stealing headlines. During one of their final practices before traveling to Portland for Game 1 and 2, uncertainty arose surrounding the availability of All-Star starter Paul George.

The NBA also held their annual end of season tiebreaker session to determine which teams would select where. Last, but not the least, T.I. took a deep dive on why Russell Westbrook deserves your appreciation now.

More details on all three stories are available below:

Sketchy Shoulder?

Yesterday, during practice Thunder head coach Billy Donovan was very mum on whether or not George would play in Game 1, due to right shoulder soreness.

PG’s troublesome shoulder injury has been known publicly since February 28, which held him out of their match that evening against the Sixers. According to the team, George sustained the injury during the previous contest, versus the Nuggets on February 26.

During his own media scrum, PG revealed to a reporter the pain was too much to play through in the regular season finale vs. the Bucks. He finished up his statement by adding, he couldn’t do anything with his right side.

Those comments from PG were downright frightening. If George can’t go in Game 1, or he will be hampered the entire series; it will create a massive disadvantage for the Thunder.

With the 21st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the OKC Thunder select…

After finishing in a tie with the Boston Celtics, the NBA conducted their annual draft pick tiebreakers, revealing the Thunder drew the 21st pick and the Celtics will select 22nd.

A grand total of seven different ties were broken this year. Before complaining about the low pick, keep in mind Terrance Ferguson was selected with the 21st overall pick.

Give it up to the Brodie

After recent legacy nights in honor of NBA legends, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade. Both events occurred appropriately during the final game of each player’s illustrious career. The touching tribute inspired T.I. scribe Rylan Stiles to pen a stellar appreciation piece on Russ, below are few highlights from his terrific feature:

"No one will ever wear his number again in OKC Thunder History, he will be the first and last with the number zero."

"Do not wait until games 81, and 82 of his final tour of duty to appreciate Russell Westbrook. Appreciate him now, while he can still take over games, excite crowds, and throw down monster dunks."

"We have seen the highs and lows of Russell Westbrook, and he has seen the highs and lows in the OKC Thunder franchise. The rest of his story is yet to be written, but however the last chapter ends, whenever the book is closed, make sure you have taken the time to truly appreciate Russell Westbrook."

If you would like to read Rylan’s full piece (I highly recommend doing so) click here. For the most part, Thunder Nation does what Stiles calls for, but Russ still bears the brunt of unwarranted criticism. As the ageless phrase states, you never know what you have until it’s gone, don’t undervalue Westbrook now, because he is currently in his 11th year, a reality without the Brodie may be closer than we are anticipating.

That’s it for today’s edition of in the news. Check back with T.I. tomorrow as we will bring you full coverage of Game 1, and the squad’s entire playoff journey, starting with our gameday preview.

Until then, enjoy the opening day of the 2019 NBA playoffs, rest up, and be prepared to Thunder Up on Sunday afternoon.