OKC Thunder: 3 players that must step up during George Hill’s absence

Player that needs to step up on OKC Thunder No. 3) Luguentz Dort

Last but certainly not least, we see the likes of 3-and-D extraordinaire, Luguentz Dort.

Though the sophomore shooting guard is finding himself boasting impressive averages of 12.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and just shy of a steal per game on 43 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep on the season, of late he’s found himself in a bit of a slump.

Since Hill has been out, Dort has been averaging just 9.5 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 turnovers per game on a lowly 28 percent shooting from deep.

During this span, the Thunder have gone 2-2, and, frankly, in just one of those games did the 21-year-old play up to his potential (the January 27th game against Phoenix where he put up 14 points and a block on 50 percent shooting from deep).

Now look, of course we’re not saying Lu Dort’s long-term prospects have changed — we believe he’s an up-and-coming two-way player in this league who will be a fixture in OKC’s rotation for years to come.

That said, in lieu of George Hill’s absence, who has been the team’s second-best long-range sniper this season, Oklahoma City needs some shooters to step up and fill in for his absence from downtown.

Hopefully, Lu Dort serves as such a substitute and snaps out of his funk.

Should this happen, the team should be in good shape moving forward.