Coaches challenge costs OKC Thunder in loss to Clippers – player grades
The OKC Thunder played their hearts out in an ugly game but lose by virtue of a coaching challenge and overturned call. Player grades offer the details.
If you witnessed the game where the Raptors played their former superstar Kawhi Leonard and held him to two of 12 from the field while forcing a career high nine turnovers then you’ll understand why the hope was OKC Thunder bench boss Billy Donovan would channel Nick Nurse on this night.
Kawhi Leonard was out of the lineup but the player (Paul George) who caused all the changes in Oklahoma City and sent Sam Presti into overdrive to rebuild the franchise was back in the lineup.
With several players in the mix who used to play for the opposition, this one had more than just a “W” as motivation.
90. 77. Final. 88. 149
At game start Paul George looked like he was going to have ‘one of those’ breakout games just as he had in his first two appearances with the Clippers where he scored 33 and 37 points respectively.
Paul George started the game on fire scoring six of the Clippers eight points and it looked like Thunder fans might be in for a long night! Donovan quickly got his charges focused and PG scored just 12 more in the game.
Although his last shot from deep and free throw sealed the win for the Clippers many Thunder fans will be scratching their heads over what seemed like a very unfair whistle particularly in the second half when Patrick Beverley was getting the benefit of flop calls and the Clippers kept slapping OKC Thunder players hands from behind without being whistled for it.
Hey, this Clippers team is expected to go deep and possibly win it all so the fact the Thunder were in a game that came down to the final whistle is something the players can all be proud of. Still, it sucks to be that close especially when Gallo’s triple and Chris Paul‘s free throws had the Thunder ahead and oh so close to stealing the victory.
It wasn’t a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination but the Thunder battled and hung tight with the Clippers throughout a highly contested battle.
With that let’s dive into the player grades.