OKC Thunder: Grading Mike Muscala’s injury-shortened season

OKC Thunder season highlights for Mike Muscala.

Despite playing just under half the season there were plenty of season highlights for Muscala. He had three games of more than 20 points on the season. In what can be personally satisfying for Muscala, the Thunder won two of those three games meaning that his contribution was meaningful.

One of the games was the two-point victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Muscala had 22 points in only 20 minutes. The thing is that he did not miss a shot in the first half. Everything he did turned to gold, including hitting 5-of-5 from inside the arc, which is not where he normally shines. He was a beast, getting to the line six times and hitting both attempts from deep.

Muscala was a bit of a barometer for the Thunder this season, when he hit 13 or more points in a game, the Thunder were 6-3. It is no wonder he did not play most of the second half of the season, he was too effective for the Thunder.

Muscala also had plenty of games where he outworked his opponents on the glass. He had 13 games where he had five or more rebounds. The Thunder had a 6-7 record during these games which is respectable when your backup center is doing well.