OKC Thunder: Player grades for last-second loss to Timberwolves

Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:

The OKC Thunder only had eight players available for Friday’s game against the Timberwolves, and of the three reserves, Muscala had the biggest impact on the team.

Muscala scored 13 points, which is well above his 9.1 points per game season average. Nine of his 13 points came from 3-point territory, where he hit three of his six attempts. He added eight rebounds, as well, and did so in just 24 minutes.

Muscala continues to prove why he is one of the best 3-point shooters on the Thunder with each outing.

Best opponent performance:

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This honor could have gone to Russell rather than Malik Beasley, but aside from the 3-point shot that ended up winning the game for the Timberwolves, Russell was largely ineffective in the game.

Beasley scored 24 points thanks, in part, to a 6-for-12 performance beyond the arc. If not for him, this game likely would have gone the Thunder’s way.

In closing:

The OKC Thunder would have liked to pick up their second consecutive home victory on Friday, but the Timberwolves’ resurgence in the third and fourth quarters helped hold the Thunder off.

A win would have been a huge positive, but it’s not the only statistic that proves a team’s worth.

While a young team, the OKC Thunder have shown that they refuse to give up in any game they play, no matter if they’re down three points or 30. They play well together and will only become more dangerous in the future as they become more acclimated to each other.