OKC Thunder grades features Ty Jerome career-best in loss to Warriors

In the first of two consecutive games the OKC Thunder fell to the Golden State Warriors in a match they were never close to being competitive in.

The Warriors won every frame. In the initial frame, they built a seven-point lead via a 31-24 effort. It was more of the same in the second quarter as the Dubs extended their lead scoring 30 points compared to 25 for the Thunder.

Aside from a brief Ty Jerome outburst that cut the lead briefly to four points the Dubs lead wasn’t challenged. The Warriors hit the third quarter taking it 27-34 and finished the match behind another 30 point quarter (to 25) to win the match.

Something I’m learning to do in virtually every loss by the OKC Thunder is to find the positives. Whether that’s via a special player performance or a segment within the game that stands out.

That moment came early in this match and has the potential to affect the future iteration of the club. Ty Jerome and Gabriel Deck checked into the first quarter at 3:15 and 2:40 replacing Luguentz Dort and Darius Bazley respectively.

The score was 15-26 for the Dubs. While that lineup only shaved four points off the lead they played two-way ball outscoring them 9 to 5 to close the quarter.

Depending on the moves made via the draft, free agency, and offseason Theo Maledon may end up starting or coming off the bench. But, having Jerome and Deck available as solid two-way guard options who can offer Daigneault playmaking, scoring and defense are positives to foster moving forward.

With that, let’s have a look at the starter, best reserve, and best opponent grades…