Thunder Cruise in Tulsa, Beat Hawks 113-94
The Thunder moved to 2-1 in the preseason on Sunday afternoon, defeating Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks by a final score of 113-94 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Paul George (22 points) and Dennis Schroder (20 points) led the way for OKC, who trailed 29-26 after the first quarter but quickly found rhythm thereafter — building a lead that ballooned to as much as 30 before it was all said and done.
Full Highlights:
The Thunder will return home to Oklahoma City for Tuesday’s preseason finale against the Milwaukee Bucks. That game tips off at 7:00 PM CST and will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.
Stats
George: 22 pts, 6 reb, 6 stl, 5/16 FG, 3/8 3P, 25 MP, +30
Schroder: 20 pts, 7 reb, 6 stl, 9/14 FG, 27 MP, +30
Diallo: 13 pts, 5 reb, 4/8 FG, 5/6 FT, 25 MP, +1
Abrines: 10 pts, 2/6 3P, 19 MP, +16
Adams: 8 pts, 9 reb, 2/5 FG, 30 MP, +19
Burton: 9 pts, 5 TO, 4/7 FG, 15 MP, -4
Grant: 8 pts, 6 reb, 3/8 FG, 21 MP, +15
Patterson (6 pts), Felton (6 pts), Luwawu-Cabbarot (4 pts), Davis (3 pts), Noel (2 pts), McDaniels (2 pts)
Highlights
PG & Schroder full highlights:
Hamidou Diallo full highlights:
Trae Young full highlights: 16 pts, 2 ast, 5/13 FG
Notes
PG13: Paul George led the way with 22 points and 6 steals — an absurd amount. He did just shoot 5-of-16 from the floor and he’s a combined 5-of-14 from downtown in his two preseason contests, but he looks fresh and there are no signs of the ailments that slowed him down in the second half of last season. Just needs to get some three-pointers to fall, which should become a little easier when Russell Westbrook returns to action.
T-Ferg: Terrance Ferguson left the game early in the first quarter and did not return due to concussion-like symptoms. He’ll now enter the league’s concussion protocol, but I assume his preseason is done either way.
Hamidou What I Want: Rookie Hamidou Diallo enjoyed his best preseason effort with Ferguson out of the game — scoring 13 points in 25 minutes. While he’s still extremely raw and unpolished, he’s been impressive enough to assume he’ll get his shot in the regular season. As far as his ridiculous athleticism is concerned, we got a glimpse in this one.
Super Schroder: The Thunder’s new point guard had a nice day against his former squad, dropping 20 points and enjoying a 9-of-14 shooting day — his best of the preseason. He even picked up a block on his replacement — former Sooner Trae Young — which had to feel good.
Final Thoughts: Another nice win for the Westbrook-less Thunder, and there’s just one more tune-up game before the regular season begins on the road in Oakland on October 16. It’s still a little difficult to peg this team when Westbrook and Andre Roberson are missing, but there’s been enough from some of the young guys (namely Diallo) to feel optimistic about what’s to come. The Hawks aren’t a good team, so excitement about today’s blowout should be tempered. That being said, the team has progressively looked better as the preseason continues, which is all you can really ask for at this point.