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Grading the Thunder’s overtime loss to the Nuggets

By Ivan White

Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #50 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder talk during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Grading the Thunder starters:

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER. A-. . Guard. Oklahoma City Thunder

Another game, another 30-point game for Shai, 31 to be exact. Once again, drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line was an integral part of Gilgeous-Alexander’s night. He attempted 14 free throws on the night and converted all 14. Gilgeous-Alexander made sure to get his teammates involved with a season-high 11 assists, giving him his first double-double of the season. SGA’s performance could have been better with a takeover down the stretch, but it simply never panned out.

C-. . Guard. Oklahoma City Thunder. JOSH GIDDEY

The end of regulation saw Josh Giddey sitting on the bench. Mark Daigneault opted for the shooting stroke of Isaiah Joe rather than having another playmaker on the court. It seemed to be the correct decision, given an underwhelming night from Giddey. He finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Adding to the disappointment, Giddey finished the night with the worst plus-minus of the starting lineup at -12.

B+. . Forward. Oklahoma City Thunder. LUGUENTZ DORT

Hustle, hustle, hustle. It’s Lu Dort’s calling card in most games, and this contest was no different. Dort finished the game without a steal, but make no mistake, his effort in transition and going after loose balls created opportunities for the Thunder on several occasions. Dort’s effort does show up in the rebound slot of the stat sheet as he grabbed seven, one shy of his season-high. Dort also put up 18 points on the night, including three triples to match his season-high.

Oklahoma City Thunder. ALEKSEJ POKUSEVSKI. B. . Forward

Pokusevski’s season thus far gives him a legitimate claim to be the second-best Serbian in the league, as he faced the undisputed best in this one. The seven-footer continued his potential all-defense campaign with three blocks, marking his 11th consecutive game with at least one rejection. Poku added 13 points in this one and nailed a couple of threes after his one-game absence.

A. . Forward. Oklahoma City Thunder. JEREMIAH ROBINSON-EARL

OKC usually sends Lu Dort to match up with the opponent’s most challenging task, but that isn’t easy to do when that guy is Nikola Jokic. So, Robinson-Earl was tasked with that matchup, and was spectacular. Obviously, the MVP is going to get his numbers, but Robinson-Earl’s toughness and fight helped him mightily. JRE had an effective night on the glass and came down with 11 rebounds, a new season-high. He also scored eight points and used his defensive versatility to come away with two steals and a block.

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