5 Former OKC Thunder players deliver knockout punch in Game 5

Although the OKC Thunder aren’t participating in the NBA Playoffs there are a number of former players still active. In fact, several players who donned the Thunder jersey have been integral to the success of their teams.

Chris Paul delivered a phenomenal effort in Game 4 of the Suns and Nuggets semi-finals as Phoenix swept Denver. While we’re on the topic, Intentions sends our best wishes to the former Thunder captain who tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. Here’s hoping he proves to be asymptomatic and is back on the court for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Phoenix was the only team to sweep their semi-finals. The other three series were guaranteed a minimum of six games after the series was tied at two games apiece. Injuries to stars wreaked havoc on all six clubs and coincidentally all three underdogs won Game 5.

What made those wins stand out for Thunder fans was the players who delivered the standout performances to lead their teams to victory. In every case, a former OKC Thunder player or duo stood out.

Former OKC Thunder players were integral to Game 5 victories

It all started in Brooklyn with the Nets suddenly looking vulnerable after Kyrie Irving suffered a gruesome ankle sprain. James Harden played all of 43 seconds in Game 1 exiting due to the same hamstring injury that sidelined him for 21 of 24 games at season end.

While Harden returned for Game 5 and played 46 minutes it was another former OKC Thunder duo who stole the headlines. Kevin Durant played all 48 minutes collecting a phenomenal triple-double featuring 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. KD was active defensively as well registering two steals and three blocks.

The other former Thunder player who was equally compelling in the victory was Jeff Green. Like Harden, Green missed the majority of the series nursing an injury (plantar fasciitis) but returned for Game 4.  It took a game for Green to find his rhythm, but on Tuesday, he was the x-factor as one of only three Nets scoring in double-figures. The journeyman registered 27 points on 8 of 11 including hitting seven of his eight 3-point attempts.

In the other Eastern semi-final, the Hawks overcame a 26 point deficit to take a 3-2 series lead. Philly lost only seven games all season but Atlanta also won Game 1 at Wells Fargo.

The depth of the Hawks and their young 3-point snipers have been the focus this postseason. But it was two vets who sparked the Game 5 comeback including former OKC Thunder sniper Danilo Gallinari.

With 2:10 remaining in the third quarter the Sixers led 85-61 but the Hawks outscored Philly 48 to 21 from that point forward. Youngsters Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter struggled to find their shot but vets Lou Williams and Gallinari rose to the occasion.  Gallo delivered 16 points on 6 of 10 field goal shooting including hitting three of four 3-pointers and grabbed eight rebounds.

With all due respect to Durant, arguably the most surprising performance came courtesy of the self-titled “Playoff P” (Paul George) and another former disenchanted Thunder guard — Reggie Jackson.

The Clippers had the momentum in their series until the news Kawhi Leonard suffered a sprained knee that would sideline him indefinitely.  That led to the Jazz being tapped as overwhelming odds favorites to win Game 5 and the series.

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George is a bit of a touchy situation for many Thunder fans as he failed to deliver consistently in the postseason in his two seasons with OKC. After struggling in the Disney bubble he looked to silence his critics this season.

Round 1 versus Dallas was hit and miss as he consistently scored 20 or more points but had cold offensive nights shooting 30.6 percent from the perimeter through the series.

Without Leonard, oddsmakers and analysts alike heavily favored the top-ranked Utah Jazz in Game 5. Instead, George seemingly channeled the Pacers version of Playoff P to deliver a massive double-double of 37 points and 16 rebounds with five assists, a steal, and two blocks.

As the Jazz surged cutting the deficit late in the game it was Reggie Jackson who consistently stopped their momentum finishing with 22 points scoring 12 in the final frame.

Brooklyn will try to clinch their series this evening in Milwaukee while the Hawks and Clippers will seek to clinch on their home courts Friday.

Again, although the OKC Thunder aren’t in the mix this season these players are giving Thunder Nation something to cheer for.  Moreover, the performances of these previous Thunder players in crucial playoff games is only adding to the lore of Sam Presti and his ability to spot talent.