OKC Thunder: 3 takeaways as shorthanded squad lose squeaker to Wolves

OKC Thunder takeaway No. 3) Discipline inherit on this squad

Young teams tend to have bad habits it’s part and parcel of the growing and learning curve. Yet, if there is one thing that continues to impress about this iteration of the OKC Thunder is just how disciplined they are.

Granted, the Timberwolves aren’t a team that plays stellar defense (ranked 22nd) and aren’t an offensive juggernaut (ranked 29th), especially with Karl-Anthony Towns out.

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However,  with the bare minimum of OKC Thunder players dressed the group who took to the court Friday faced a deeper more talented Wolves team. Aside from Towns and Jarrett Culver, Ryan Saunders had the rest of his team available.

Despite all their shortcomings, Malik Beasley, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards have shown the ability to put points on the board. Without the majority of their core available, it was essential for the Thunder to play disciplined and not foul.

They excelled at achieving this goal sending the Wolves to the line a mere nine times. More impressively OKC committed only seven fouls compared to the 15 Minnesota racked up. While OKC turned over the ball 17 times that created 17 points whereas the Wolves’ 17 turnovers produced 25 points for OKC.

Considering only three of the eight players average more than 21 minutes the fact this group played with such discipline speaks to how ingrained the identity is up and down the roster.

The Thunder are right back at it tonight against the Wolves again. The game tips off 7:00 CT with Intentions providing our typical game coverage.

Have a great Saturday Thunder Nation!