Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:
With honorable mentions to Diallo and Theo Maledon, it was the 17th pick in the 2020 NBA draft Aleksej Pokusevski who was the best reserve tonight.
Pokusevski had his best game of the season and gave the OKC Thunder fans an insight into the type of performance we are going to get from this 19-year-old rookie in the future. Not only did he score a bench high ten points, but he also collected four rebounds, had three blocks, and gave out two assists. This was his best all-around game and his shot looked on. His two 3-point makes were from the side where the line is a little closer to the distance he is used to making them from.
Best opponent performance:
The Los Angeles Lakers offense starts through James most of the time that he is on the court. He is incredible when it comes to finding the right player at the right time which he did again against the Thunder. He led the league in assists last year and is averaging around seven per game this year. The Lakers love to score in transition and his head is always up looking for the play. He decided to beat the Thunder by scoring from deep, going 5-of-8, he is just that good.
In closing:
While it is a fun thought that this year’s OKC Thunder team could compete with the best in the NBA, there is simply a great talent gap between the two franchises for the Thunder to get near the defending champions. They got ahead and then simply managed the game.