OKC Thunder: Grades feature Muscala, SGA strong effort in win vs. Wolves
OKC Thunder starting lineup grades:
. G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder. SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER. A+
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opened the game with a corner 3-point shot and made a really deep, almost logo 3-point shot with two minutes to go in the first. He ended the first with 11 points and three rebounds, setting the tone for the Thunder.
He continued to make life difficult for the Timberwolves in the second when he reentered, scoring at will and passing to the open man.
Took over in the fourth period to the tune of 14 points to help the Thunder take the win. He ended the night with 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
B+. . PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. LU DORT
Luguentz Dort started the game on fire defensively and caused issues for the Timberwolves. He caused multiple transition opportunities with his poke aways.
Turned the ball over a couple of times in the Timberwolves’ run but had some key buckets and stops late in the third.
Oklahoma City Thunder. DARIUS BAZLEY. A-. . SF
Darius Bazley looked really good to start the game. He was able to get out in transition and this is where he is at home.
Without Horford in the starting lineup, he defended at the center, doing a good job in the first half.
However, Reid then took over in the third period and Muscala had to come back on to put a bigger body on Reid. His help defense down the stretch was huge
. PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. THEO MALEDON. A-
Made some really nice passes, especially in transition as well as driving to the hoop for an easy deuce.
Looking at home in the starting lineup. He was the lone starter on the court for much of the time when Mike Muscala was simply assaulting the Timberwolves.
Maledon made the bucket early in the third which ended the 9-0 Timberwolves run. Hit a three with five minutes to go in the last quarter to change the momentum.
KENRICH WILLIAMS. A. . G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder
In just his second start with the OKC Thunder, Kenrich Williams bought energy defensively which set up some offense.
His steal, then the pass ahead to Bazley in the first minute was typical Williams. He was the first to the floor and the first down the court.
Williams made a tremendous hustle play in the fourth to stop the Timberwolves’ run as they came back. He also had a huge offensive rebound with five minutes left in the game to keep the possession with the Thunder, resulting in a Maledon three