Thunder Notebook: Tuesday, April 17

Injury Update

Paul George: Paul George’s status for Game 2 remains up in the air due to the hip contusion he suffered on Sunday. Here is the play that caused the injury:

According to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman, George scored 24 of his 36 points after sustaining this injury, so there’s reason for optimism if you’re a Thunder fan. However, George was limited in today’s practice and did not go through any of the contact portions. Billy Donovan said today, “I’m not going to do anything more than see where he’s at tomorrow. We’re never going to put a player’s health at risk in any way… I don’t think that’s the case. Part of the reason he wanted to come out of the game the first time was he didn’t feel like he was moving well. So, I think that’s probably going to be a little bit more of his decision on how he’s feeling in terms of the way he’s moving.”

Corey Brewer: Corey Brewer is still feeling the effects of his knee sprain but participated in portions of today’s contact practice. Can’t see any reason why he won’t receive a full workload tomorrow (although more Alex Abrines wouldn’t be a bad thing).

Donovan Mitchell: The Thunder isn’t the only one waiting on the status of an important part of their puzzle. Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell — who suffered a foot contusion in Game 1 — also remains questionable for tomorrow’s Game 2.

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Game 2 T-Shirts

The Game 2 shirts have been unveiled by the Thunder organization. I don’t recall ever being particularly fond of the garb handed out during the postseason — however, these aren’t bad at all.

If you’re at the game tomorrow and fit into the standard-issue XL t-shirt that resides on every seat, you’re in luck.

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Jersey Sales

The NBA released its top-selling player and team merchandise for the 2017-18 regular season. Russell Westbrook rings in at number six in individual player jersey sales. The Thunder came in seventh when it comes to overall team sales.

Westbrook fell from fourth last season to sixth this season. Carmelo Anthony and Paul George failed to crack the top 15 — not entirely surprising, as they didn’t last year either. The Thunder remained steady in seventh in team merchandise sales — exactly where OKC was at after the 2016-17 regular season.

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AD on The Herd

Thunder broadcast guy (and former NBA champion) Antonio Daniels did the Lord’s work today, appearing on The Herd and arguing with Colin Cowherd about Russell Westbrook and stat-padding accusations. That exchange:

“There is nothing wrong with Russell Westbrook going out and doing what he does — which is rebound. He said it the best: ‘If I’m the first to it, I am going to get it.’ What people don’t take into consideration when they’re talking about Russell Westbrook and his rebounds is what it does for this Oklahoma City Thunder team. Since we’re talking about history over the past two years, he has 67 triple-doubles over the past two years — 53-14 is the Thunder’s record in those games.

If these “padding stats” didn’t lead to W’s, I’d get it, but the fact of the matter is when he triple-doubles in the past two years, they are winning 79 percent of the time. I have no problem with that whatsoever.”

Cowherd is a babbling clown — plain and simple. Daniels is going to end up in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame if he keeps homering it up to the delight of Thunder fans like this.