OKC Thunder: Player grades feature Dort’s exciting buzzer beater
By Ryan Lewis
Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:
C. . PF/C. Oklahoma City Thunder. MIKE MUSCALA
It’s challenging to choose the best OKC Thunder reserve player from Wednesday night’s game. Each reserve was average, at best.
Mike Muscala scored seven points, but three other players scored five points off the bench. The only thing that sets each of them apart is their threat level for having a big game. Hamidou Diallo is always primed for a big game, but Muscala adds an element from the outside, which has to be guarded closely by opposing teams.
Flip a coin, pick a winner.
Best opponent performance:
PG. San Antonio Spurs. DEJOUNTE MURRAY. A.
Dejounte Murray was terrific for the Spurs. In the first quarter, he torched the OKC Thunder, hitting four of his six shots for eight points. He cooled off in the second quarter but reignited in the third when he scored 10 points for the Spurs.
In addition to his 27 total points, Murray also added nine rebounds and six assists. Without Murray, the Spurs would’ve been blown out from the tip.
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In closing:
The OKC Thunder don’t need to win. But considering where many experts had them before the season beginning, it sure feels good when they do win.
The Thunder played against a shorthanded Spurs team, and that same team took them to the brink, forcing the Thunder to rely on a buzzer-beating, game-winning 3-pointer. Even so, the Thunder played well, shooting 41.6 from the field and knocking down 18 of their 44 perimeter attempts.
When you see their development, it leaves you excited for the future of this OKC Thunder team.
You can view the full box score here.
The Thunder will be back in action when they host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.
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