OKC Thunder: Player Grades feature Dort show in Denver loss

Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:

The OKC Thunder bench couldn’t quite make an impact against the Nuggets. Hamidou Diallo had a few snippets of spark but it was 19-year-old Theo Maledon who was the best reserve.

It’s still shocking to know that he is so young, but he’s already got the attributes of a great offensive playmaker. In 21 minutes, Maledon got seven points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Best opponent performance:

All-Star Nikola Jokic led the way for the Denver Nuggets. He was dominant from the outset. Just in the first half, he recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

It was his 14th double-double this season, making it one for every game the Nuggets have played. In the end, he put together 27 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal and, a block.

As our keys to the game noted, it’s never easy containing the Joker and this match was just another example.

In closing:

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As the OKC Thunder look ahead to their matchup against the Clippers on Friday, there are many things they’ll look at improving, including their second-quarter lapses.

But there are some positives to take away which include some great stints from the young players. It seems like we say this every game, but it’s so true – everyone is learning, developing, and finding who they are on the basketball court. And in the long run, it’s only going to benefit the Thunder.

Like always, they still hold their heads high and work hard towards their next challenge.

You can view the full box score of the match here.  Next up the OKC Thunder will play the Clippers on Friday and Sunday in LA.