The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive run, securing a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers amidst the challenging “dog days” of the NBA season. This win comes at a crucial time, as the team navigates through a stretch of games without a full roster.
The NBA’s scheduling decision to have only one game on Sunday, pitting the Thunder against the Trail Blazers, raised some eyebrows. The 5 PM Central time tip-off seemed to conflict with NFL Championship Sunday, potentially impacting viewership. Despite this awkward timing, the Thunder showed up and took care of business.
Oklahoma City’s performance in Portland highlighted their resilience. Despite falling behind by 10 points early, the team flipped the switch between the first and second quarters, eventually building their own 19-point lead. The final score of 118-108 doesn’t tell the whole story of the Thunder’s dominance in key areas like points in the paint (52-22) and points off turnovers (24-11).
Hartenstein’s Impact
Isaiah Hartenstein made his return after missing six games, and his presence was immediately felt. With 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, Hartenstein showcased his value as a double-double threat and facilitator. His screen-setting and passing abilities opened up the offense, while his defensive presence denied opportunities at the rim for Portland.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his MVP-caliber season with 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. This marked his 12th game of the season with 30+ points and 3+ steals, leading the NBA in this category.
The Thunder’s ability to maintain their winning ways during this challenging stretch of the season is commendable. With players like Hartenstein returning from injury and the team finding ways to win even when not at full strength, Oklahoma City is positioning itself well for the playoff push.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Thunder’s performance against Portland, tune into the Locked On Thunder podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Thunder Podcast:
• Usman Dieng’s improved play in limited minutes
• Isaiah Joe’s return from illness and impact off the bench
• The ongoing shooting struggles of Cason Wallace