OKC Thunder wing Andre Roberson will not play in the preseason opener which may point to the team electing to load manage his minutes this season.
With the OKC Thunder set to tip-off their preseason this evening in a match versus the Dallas Mavericks one player fans are excited to see won’t be on the court.
Despite Head Coach, Billy Donovan repeatedly stating Andre Roberson looks good and has no limitations he wasn’t in the lineup for the Blue and White scrimmage. Nor will he play this evening as per Brady Trantham’s tweet and article in The Franchise.
This is disheartening news given Thunder Nation has waited these 20 months to welcome Roberson back to the hardwood. On the other hand, it is definitely wise to be cautious. But is this yet another indication ARob is still recovering from his lengthy absence due to the initial patellar tendon injury and subsequent setbacks?
Andre Roberson update, will NOT play tomorrow night in Tulsa when OKC takes on the Dallas Mavericks: https://t.co/pWDHbV95rg
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) October 7, 2019
Donovan who previously indicated Roberson would play this past Sunday seemingly switched gears in his new comments. Up until the scrimmage the running line was ARob was fully ready to participate with no restrictions both from the player and the coach.
As per Trantham’s article, the most telling comments came from Donovan regarding the precautions the team will take:
"“I think for Andre there is going to be some ups and downs of getting accustomed to continually handling more and more load,” Donovan said. “I was actually encouraged that he practiced all four straight days and he came right back today after not playing in the scrimmage.”“Is it something that is going to happen the entire year? It would be hard for me to say, I can’t answer that.”"
This raises the question of whether the OKC Thunder and Billy Donovan will employ a load management program on the wing this season? It sure sounds as if that’s the direction the team is going to take.
In reflection, it’s also possible the team perhaps forced the timing of the 3 and D specialist’s return last season. That resulted in two separate setbacks and a fully missed season. Equally compelling is the results of this past playoff run when players who rushed back ended up with worse injuries.
The two most obvious examples being Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. In KD’s case, after missing nine games due to a stated calf injury he returned in Game 5 and ruptured his Achilles tendon.
Likewise, Klay Thompson missed Game 3 of the Finals nursing a sore hamstring. Thompson returned to play over 42 minutes in Games 4 and 5 then tore his ACL after playing 31 minutes in Game 6.
Whether the hamstring injury contributed to Thompson tearing his ACL isn’t known.
More from Thunder News
- 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
There is some compelling medical evidence that it’s plausible (see video above). This because the hamstring is one muscle athletes focus on strengthening in their ACL rehab.
Bottom line those two injuries specifically and the Raptors load management of Kawhi Leonard definitely made an impact on how franchises are electing to handle injuries.
So while fans are anxious to give Andre Roberson a resounding ovation it will have to wait. At least for another day. The next game the team plays (after tonight’s match) will be on Thursday, October 10 against the New Zealand Breakers.
This match takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena which arguably might be a more fitting event and location to welcome Roberson back.