Mark Daigneault returns, Favors and Roby out vs Wolves

The OKC Thunder return from a day off on Thursday and look to avenge Wednesday’s loss to the Timberwolves in Minnesota. The Thunder returned home as they welcome the Wolves into the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City. After the team’s sloppy loss to the Wolves Wednesday, they sit 13-24, the second-worst record in the Western Conference, three games ahead of Houston who sits dead last. OKC is two games back of the NBA Play-In tournament with the tenth seed currently occupied by the San Antonio Spurs.

After their first COVID-19 outbreak of the season, the OKC Thunder were able to ride the wave going 5-5 despite missing key pieces like their head coach, top assistant, the sixth overall pick, max contract point guard, and a plethora of role players.

OKC Thunder see Mark Daigneault return to the sidelines vs the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Oklahoma City Thunder has been guided by acting head coach Mike Wilks since December 28th that is when head coach Mark Daigneault and top assistant Dave Bliss entered the NBA Health and Safety protocols. This is the second absence for Daigneault who passed the baton to Dave Bliss earlier this season when he missed a road swing for the birth of his child.

Now Mark Daigneault is back on the sidelines tonight just in time to face off with Minnesota for the second time this season and this week. The bench boss will return to his normal seat, and pre-game media availability as the team begins to get back to normal following their first outbreak.

The only player in health and safety protocols for the OKC Thunder is big man Isaiah Roby who has been stuck in protocols since just before tip-off on Wednesday against Minnesota. Derrick Favors (back) will miss his second straight game, as Vit Krejci is still sidelined on an NBA G-Leauge assignment.

Lu Dort, who missed Wednesday’s tilt with knee soreness, was not listed on the team’s injury report and will be made available tonight against the Wolves.