OKC Thunder: Pokusevski growth tops takeaways in loss to Bulls

The OKC Thunder’s last preseason game saw them go down to a spirited Chicago Bulls. Three takeaways offer insight into the loss.

The OKC Thunder finished their preseason with a two-point loss at the hands of Billy Donovan’s Chicago Bulls’ who were full of fire and fight.

OKC played exceptional basketball to open the match and held a 64-49 lead at half-time. However, a 34-13 point surge by the Bulls in the fourth quarter took them home.

It’s still too early to tell how far this team can go but there were some glimpses of superb individual performances and signs of chemistry that will serve this new-look squad well going into the regular season.

Three takeaways from the OKC Thunder’s loss to the Bulls:

No.1) Pokusevski growing every game:

18-year-old rookie Aleksej Pokusevski demonstrated tremendous confidence and is slowly finding his feet. Despite the loss, he posted his first double-double, recording 12 points, 13 rebounds, and knocking down two big daggers from beyond the ark.

One moment that stands out from the game was when he went head to head with Lauri Markkanen and got crafty. Approaching the baseline, he deceived Markkanen with a sensational behind-the-back crossover with his left hand and put the cherry on top with a nice floater.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1340110041437925377

Veteran Mike Muscala had some high praise for the youngster.

According to Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder, Muscala said “Poku is a heck of a competitor. His aggressiveness at his age is impressive. He’s not afraid to take big shots. At his age what I’ve seen so far is impressive.”

Developing his play over the last three preseason games, Pokusevski has shown hunger and a willingness to be ready and to step up when he’s got the ball in his hands.

Head Coach Mark Daigneault added that Poku has “progressed again. He’s done a good job of learning and growing day-to-day.”