OKC Thunder former members play key role in loss to Pacers – Player grades

Once again, Dennis Schroder proved to be the best reserve which if we’re honest is what he’s paid to be. The bench point guard posted 18 points, four rebounds, an assist, a block, and a turnover.

The fact, he once again took more than his fair amount of (17) shot attempts (second only to Shai Gigeous-Alexander) continues to annoy this narrator. This isn’t just puzzling it’s unacceptable. — more on this tomorrow in takeaways.

His grade reflects a combination of him putting points on the board but his game management and involvement of his reserve unit are well below what is acceptable.

Best Opponent:

This award could easily go to Domantas Sabonis but rather than rub salt into the wound of the fact he could still be playing in an OKC Thunder jersey I elected to focus on one of the best storylines of this season which is T.J. Warren.

The wingman was sent to the Pacers for a song after seasons of playing gritty ball for the Suns and giving 100 percent effort. He took the slight in stride, worked on his game and in truth wound up on a team more reflective of his potential and abilities.

The side note here — just watch how much brighter the spotlight shines on Warren once Oladipo returns and he gets even more freedom in the Pacers offense. I’ve long been a fan of Warren and disagreed he was a sub-par defender. The kid brings energy, is willing to be taught, is a team player and spends every offseason growing his game.

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On this night, he was the top game scorer (24 points) but augmented it with four rebounds and an assist placing second in plus/minus (+7) to Myles Turner who is the Pacers defensive point man.

Factor in Warren played less than five minutes in the final frame but affected the game positively repeatedly and in crucial moments. In the fourth, he scored six points, assisted on the shot by Turner that took back the brief lead the Thunder held.

Then he grabbed a critical offensive rebound with the game still in the balance at 1:31 which resulted in him getting fouled and going to the line. And again grabbed another critical rebound on the defensive glass at 13.2 (the Pacers up by three) leading to another foul where he sank both.

Give me TJ Warren or a similar talent to him every time (see tomorrow when TI investigates this concept further).

In closing:

There are plenty of positives to deem from this loss. Yes, it’s another loss but this Pacers squad is getting slept on and once Oladipo returns (presumably this month) don’t be surprised if they are among the home court seeds in the East when all is said and done.

OKC is moving past their bad habit of not starting quarters (particularly the first and third) with energy and it’s keeping them in games instead of forcing them into constant comeback scenarios.

More Thunder players are getting in the mix (well not the reserves given the stopgap holding them back – again more on that in takeaways). Most importantly, Steven Adams looks fully healthy again and is demonstrating why he was once considered the real third piece of the OK3.

And, for as much as the Thunder fall to 8-12 they keep fans entertained on a nightly basis – I mean can you imagine getting blown out by 20, 30, 40 or 50 points repeatedly? At least this club shows potential and with the knowledge, the draft cupboard is stocked it’s hard to view this season as a disappointment through the quarter pole.

The full box score can be viewed on ESPN by clicking here.

Next up the OKC Thunder host an inter-division rival the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday who currently sit in the seventh seed, but are ripe for the picking.  That said, Thunder nemesis – Andrew Wiggins – entered the season focused which is a little scary given how much he enjoys playing OKC seemingly more than any other club.

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