Defense remains key for OKC Thunder; 3 Takeaways vs Pistons

The French Backups Prove Worth

The bench unit is crucial to any team’s winning objectives in an 82-game season. Against the Pistons, Ousmane Dieng and Olivier Sarr, two of the youngsters on the roster, showed their value off the bench.

Sarr scored only 2 points, but he had nine rebounds and three blocks to create an impact on both ends of the floor. It was the impact one wants for a two-way player. With the OKC Thunder in a pinch missing Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams, Sarr has been serviceable filling in the gaps left behind in the front court.

The seven footer Olivier Sarr has played 66 games for the OKC Thunder franchise split between the varsity club and the NBA G-League, but this is his first extended run in meaningful action. When Kenrich and Jaylin Williams return to the floor, it will be hard for Sarr to continue to be a fixture in this rotation.

However, the fact Sarr has helped the Thunder get to this point is more than you can ask for in a two-way player. There are not many of those players who can make such a positive impact in a pinch on those pacts.

Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng came out perfect from the field with 10 points and two assists as the team’s backup power forward and center. He finished on a 4-for-4 clip from the field, including two three-point makes. Dieng is now shooting about 36 percent from the three-point line this season.

Ousmane Dieng has made a huge year two leap, looking vastly more comfortable on the court, and finding his role within the Thunder system much better. Dieng is building off of his stellar Summer League run.