OKC Thunder vs. Clippers: 3 takeaways highlight playoff preparation

With a playoff spot already locked in, the OKC Thunder showed some exciting snippets of what is to come in the postseason.

The OKC Thunder’s 2019-20 regular season has officially come to an end. What a ride it was, so many tenacious victories, unforgettable achievements, and a season that illustrated their fighting spirit. Though it looks like the best is still to come.

Despite the Thunder going down to the Clippers 107-104, the game wasn’t short of entertainment. It was also a great opportunity for the team’s youngsters to show us what they’ve got. As well as being a possible preview of the Western Conference Finals.

OKC welcomed back Dennis Schroder (the sixth man of the year) and he didn’t miss a beat. All of this providing some positive signs for the Thunder as they look to make a deep playoff run.

OKC Thunder – 3 takeaways from the game:

Hamidou Diallo has career night:

When Thunder wing Hamidou Diallo came into the NBA bubble looking rejuvenated with an improved jumper, you had a feeling an incredible performance was brewing.

Diallo had his chance to shine against the Clippers spending 40 minutes on the floor and he made the most of every minute. He led all players on the court by recording an amazing 27 points and 11 rebounds which are both career-highs.

He was energetic as always, diving on the floor for loose balls and remained aggressive on the boards. As many were talking about his recently enhanced shooting range, he knocked down four 3-pointers, another milestone being the most he has made in a single game.

Without key scorers such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul on the floor, Hami provided some offensive power and what’s even more impressive is that he could’ve finished with more than 27 points with some foul calls going his way and a couple of shots that didn’t go in.

After the game, Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan was pleased with the way Hami played saying “he played with a lot of energy and was really explosive.”

Per Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder’s tweet, “Billy says Hami could’ve had a ‘much much bigger’ scoring night if a few around the rim would have fallen for him.”

It was awesome to see Hami have the freedom to create his own plays and go for shots that he may not usually take.

Schroder and Gilgeous-Alexander ready for playoff hoops:

Dennis Schroder (can I just remind everyone that he’s the sixth man of the year lol) played as if he had never left. The work he put in while away from the team definitely showed.

In fact, he scored the first points of the match driving to the basket for a nice layup to get the Thunder on the board. By half-time, he had 17 points and was rested after that.

It was awesome to see him out on the court again and alongside SGA he led some crafty plays on the Thunder’s offensive end. Including this Canadian euro-step which may be inspired by Steven Adams’ Kiwi step.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsOK/status/1294410286884102145

There’s no question from watching them play, they are ready for playoff basketball. It also showed why Schroder is such an important part of the puzzle for the Thunder. He’s not only another scorer but another playmaker, great mind, and teammate.

When Schroder wasn’t scoring on the court, he was on the sideline supporting his teammates and being the ultimate hype man that he is.

Devon Hall impresses off the bench:

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1294439497514528769

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All it takes is an opportunity and when the OKC Thunder’s young talent Devon Hall received it, he delivered.

Hall put up 12 points, three steals, four assists a rebound, and a trio of three-pointers. He also dished out a superb pass that some were calling LeBron-Esque. He showed that he is a talented point guard with promise.

The 25-year-old earned a two-way contract with the Thunder and OKC Blue and at the end of June was given the chance to be a substitute in the bubble.

With notable star guards in Chris Paul, SGA and Schroder it does make it harder to get game time but whenever the chance arises it’s always great to see players embrace it.

We’ve seen another two-way payer in Luguentz Dort play so well that he got a full-time spot and we never know what could happen if Hall continues playing the way he is.