Shorthanded and tired OKC Thunder ousted by Bucks – grades

Best OKC Thunder Reserve:

I’m not awarding anyone in this spot tonight. Nor am I pinning this on Dennis Schroder or Nerlens Noel.

Let’s remember how hard the team had to fight to get back in a game the night prior erasing a double-digit deficit. If anything you’d like to see “the others” step up but they weren’ able to match the depth of the Bucks.

That in itself is something the Thunder can draw from this match. Sam Presti gets to see precisely how much depth is still missing on this squad and use it when he spends time this offseason bolstering the reserves and upgrading the roster.

Best Opponent:

For anyone who hasn’t born witness to the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is having last night was an example of the superstar’s prowess. This wasn’t a stand out performance — he does this EVERY NIGHT!

Analysts and fans can discuss others who might be in consideration for Most Valuable Player but there is no denying who the MVP is this year.

On the night he put up 32 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and even hit two 3-pointers for good measure. And he did it in 27 minutes on the hardwood. James Harden might think all he does is run and dunk but I beg to differ.

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

Although the team won’t be happy this loss isn’t the end of the world. They were down one of their top players who provides a good percentage of the offense. Danilo Gallinari sat with a sore ankle apparently sustained versus the Kings. Losing Gallo might not have mattered much since Khris Middleton also was out for the Bucks.

But unfortunately, the Bucks had the rest advantage, overall height advantage and hey – they are the cream of the NBA crop.

That’s the beauty of playing 82 games – there is always another game on the horizon to help push games like this behind them. Watch the film, learn what you can that the team could do better, but honestly this one game won’t change the essence of who this OKC Thunder team is.

The OKC Thunder get the weekend off and are back in action Tuesday night as they take on the LA Clippers. For a full box score of tonight’s contest, head over to this link courtesy of ESPN.