OKC Thunder: Player grades features Maledon’s breakout in loss to Nets

OKC Thunder starting lineup grades:

As previously stated, Maledon was exceptional for the OKC Thunder. Starting in place of the injured George Hill, the19-year-old looked less like a rookie and more like an established veteran on the court during Friday’s loss.

In addition to hitting 88.9 percent of his shots from the floor for 22 points, Maledon picked up another two points at the free-throw line, going 2-for-2 for a total of 24 for the game in 33 minutes of court time.

He finished the game with three rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Fans have been waiting for his breakout game since the season began, and it’s finally come to fruition.

It’s hard to bet against Gilgeous-Alexander. As OKC Thunder fans, we’ve become accustomed to watching him put his absolute all into every game, and Friday’s game was certainly no different.

Every time Gilgeous-Alexander steps on the court, he’s good for 20 or more points. He’s a much-improved player and has adapted well to being “the guy” for the Thunder.

Against the Nets, 10 of Gilgeous-Alexander’s 24 points came from the free-throw line where he shot 10-for-13. He added five assists, four rebounds, and one block in 31 minutes.

If there was one weak spot in his game on Friday, it was his four turnovers.

We’ve become accustomed to Dort knocking down shots from deep with some consistency. His game has evolved in a way that has left us feeling like every game could be a career game for the second-year player, but lately, Dort has been shaky, and Friday was no exception.

Dort struggled against the Nets in a pretty big way. Five of his 10 points came at the free-throw line. The remaining five came from hitting one 3-pointer and a 2-pointer in 14 total attempts.

Dort played nearly 33 minutes in the game. The only thing that keeps this grade from an F is his defense.

Bazley turned in another solid performance on Friday, scoring 14 points on 55 percent shooting in 32 minutes. He hit both of his free throw attempts, pulled down five rebounds, picked up four assists, and grabbed a steal and a block.

Bazley has developed into a reliable scorer for the Thunder both up close and from distance. He hit two of his five 3-point attempts against the Nets. With a little bit more experience, Bazley might just turn into the next big Thunder superstar.

In his second game back from a six-game absence following the birth of his child, Horford continued to do what he has done much of the season.

It’s hard to argue against the impact Horford has had on this young Thunder team. On Friday, Horford scored 16 points on 40 percent shooting in 23 minutes. Horford was solid from deep, hitting four of his six shots.

He also pulled down six rebounds and finished with four assists.