OKC Thunder: Player grades highlight collective win against Raptors
By Brandon Dale
Best OKC Thunder reserve performance:
B+. . G/F. Oklahoma City Thunder. JUSTIN JACKSON
The best reserve performance of the game goes to Justin Jackson. Although he did not have an A+ outing, his contribution still helped OKC get this victory when the game stalled out in the first half.
The Thunder struggled to find offense prior to intermission, and that is where Jackson was able to find his spots on the floor.
In just 24 minutes of action, Jackson scored 12 points and had three assists with four rebounds for the match.
Usually, he is much more efficient from behind the arc, but he finished the night going 2 of 6 from 3-point land to help OKC claw its way to victory.
Look for Jackson to continue to find his stride with this Thunder second unit.
Best opponent performance:
A+. . G/F. Toronto Raptors. GARY TRENT JR.
Gary Trent Jr. had an incredible night with a game and career-high 31 points in 36 minutes of action. Toronto had a tough time getting consistent offense Wednesday night, but Trent looked like he had been with the team all season.
In just his fourth game with the Toronto Raptors, Trent proved why he was a great trade acquisition from the Portland Trail Blazers.
His ability to create his shot is a tough assignment for opposing defenses as he went a blistering 6 of 11 from behind the arc against the OKC Thunder.
Trent was certainly unstoppable in the first half, and it did not look like he was ever going to cool off, but luckily for Thunder fans, he regressed to the mean in the second half.
Nonetheless, Trent Jr. was the most outstanding player on the floor Wednesday night, and that earns him an A+ for this particular outing.
In closing:
Wednesday night’s contest was a quintessential OKC Thunder basketball game. There were nine players dressed, and four out of the five typical OKC starters unavailable.
OKC fans likely thought without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Luguentz Dort there would be zero chance of a winning scenario.
Moreover, the team looked very comfortable and continue to show the ability of selfless basketball as Mark Daigneault has this team finding its rhythm when the rest of the league expects this club to lose.
On any given night, this team will be ready to play, that much Thunder fans know, but the fascinating element to this season is no matter who is wearing OKC on the front of the jersey, the players will be ready to give it 100 percent.
Click here to view the full box score.
The Thunder will be in Phoenix Friday night with the tip at 9 p.m. CT.
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