OKC Thunder: The OKC Blue slip down G-League standings
The OKC Thunder affiliate the OKC Blue has dipped below .500 for the first time this season.
OKC Thunder G-League affiliate the OKC Blue had a weird week. After a back to back last week the Blue did not play for six days. In the only game for the week, the Blue took on the undefeated league leaders the Memphis Hustle.
The shorthanded Blue was no match for the Hustle, losing 133-113. When I say the Blue were short-handed, they were without Markel Brown, Tyler Davis, Devon Hall, Myke Henry, and Kevin Hervey. That is a huge hole for any team to fill and it was simply too much for the Blue.
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell had his first start for the season and Vincent Edwards had his second. This meant that there was a lack of bench punch as well. Sedrick Barefield did his best but to no avail.
Luguentz Dort had 26 points and seven rebounds. He shot well from deep going 4-9 from downtown. Barefield had 25 points on 6-12 shooting, on taking one shot from inside the 3-point arc, which he missed.
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Akoon-Purcell battled for 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting but also pulled down nine rebounds. The game marked the debut for Bazoumana Kone who had six points off the bench.
In the weekly Justin Patton catch up, the big man had a disappointing game. When the Blue needed the OKC Thunder assignee to stand up and play a huge game he did not dominate as required.
He scored eight points on 4-6 shooting, as well as six rebounds, two assists, and a single block. On a positive note, he only had three fouls. His opponent, Jarrod Uthoff, had 24 points and 14 rebounds.
This does not bode well for Patton being recalled to the varsity squad. If he can’t contain a center who has battled for five years in the league, never averaging ten points per game until this year. What chance does he have with an NBA center?
The Blue started last week second in the Western Conference. Since then they have lost three games, slipping to third last with a 3-4 record.
Next. Akoon-Purcell historically good start to OKC Blue season. dark
The next game is against the Iowa Wolves on Monday, December 2, hopefully the Blue can get some players back and return to the winners column.