OKC Thunder: Aleksej Pokusevski delivers career-best in final game of season

OKC Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) drives to the basket as LA Clippers forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
OKC Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) drives to the basket as LA Clippers forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends : Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

While we can debate the decision of the OKC Thunder to not tank the final game of the season there is no doubt who was the best player on the court – – Aleksej Pokusevski.

The NBA and Thunder Nation got an up-close and personal view of the future of the franchise as rookie Pokusevski put on a show!

Pousevski shows why OKC Thunder future is bright in final game of season

The Serbian dropped a career-best 29 points on a highly efficient 10 of 19 from the field bolstered by six of nine from 3-point land along with three of four from the charity stripe.

POKU also offered up all the tangible goodies he brings to games with eight rebounds and two assists. The only flaw on the day was his seven turnovers.

Postgame, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was positively effusive in his praise of Pokusevski discussing how much the youngster has grown in one short season.

"“To think about where he was at the beginning of the season and then the way he played now is a true, tangible example of a player developing,”  -Mark Daigneault"

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Pokusevski played 41 minutes and was one of a few Thunder youngsters who shone on Sunday. Big man Moses Brown delivered a double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds with three assists and seven blocks. It was by far the best game Brown has produced down the stretch.

Josh Hall was the other 20 point scorer, also registering a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Both marks shattered his previous best of 10 points and seven rebounds (in separate games).

The result from the young Thunder players’ efforts was a 117-112 win versus the Clippers. Again, we can argue the semantics over the choice to push for the victory since it will adversely impact OKC’s ability to win the top draft pick.

But, for the moment, we’ll ignore that fact and instead revel in the performances of three young OKC Thunder players and offer a tip of our hat for their closing performances.