OKC Thunder historic comeback victory vs. Lakers – grades

Best OKC Reserve

While this award could easily go to Isaiah Roby based on stats I’m splitting it between Kenny Hustle and Ty Jerome because it was their defensive efforts in the comeback that was crucial to the OKC Thunder getting back in the game.

The stats don’t really tell the story, but for the sake of clarity, Williams produced five points, four rebounds, plus a steal, and was a plus +11. Jerome scored only three points, with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal, and led the team in plus/minus with a plus +28.

Best opponent performance:

Yeah, yeah – it should be Anthony Davis’ name landing here but I’m feigning ignorance and going the homer route. Besides this is an OKC Thunder fan site and Russ’ 10 turnovers helped fuel the comeback victory.

The Brodie got the unprecedented quadruple-double although he won’t be happy part of that includes those aforementioned turnovers. They call it a hobble when turnovers are part of this equation and Westbrook now has six in his career. That’s the most by any player (James Harden is second with three and six other players have one).

Westbrook got tossed at game end for his second technical and finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 10 turnovers, and a steal.

He registered the worst plus/minus for his club with a minus -12 although some of the issues will get ironed out with time as he’s still trying to figure out where his teammates want the ball.

I’ll give him a pass on at least four of those turnovers where his teammates are sort of just standing there waiting for Russ to do all the work or not coming toward him to meet the ball. That said, we’re happy Russ gets the triple-double and happier still it came in a victory for the home side.

The full ESPN box score can be viewed here and for those who missed the game if you watch it back do yourselves a favor and skip the first quarter. The OKC Thunder are back in action on Saturday when they begin a three-game road trip in San Francisco playing the Golden State Warriors prior to two matches at Staples Center against the LA clubs.