Williams closed Sunday's 118-112 victory over the Trail Blazers with 23 points (9-14 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two steals over 37 minutes.
Williams responded with an impressive showing on the offensive end after being held to three points on 3-for-10 from the field in his previous matchup Friday against the Lakers. He hit both of his tries from beyond the arc and all three from the charity stripe. The Santa Clara product has also added value for fantasy managers on the defensive end, recording at least one steal in six of his last seven games.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Josh Giddey: Makes impact across board
Rotowire
Giddey produced 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal over 35 minutes during Sunday's 118-112 victory over Portland.
Giddey was efficient on the offensive end and contributed in a big way on the boards yet again. He's racked up 28 total rebounds in his last two contests, securing back-to-back double-doubles. Giddey has also tallied at least one steal and one block in his last two appearances.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Isaiah Joe: Produces rare 20-point night
Rotowire
Joe racked up 20 points (5-12 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and two steals over 28 minutes during Sunday's 118-112 win over the Trail Blazers.
Joe proved yet again that he's capable of doing damage from beyond the arc and snapped out of an 0-for-7 stretch from deep over his last two matchups. Sunday's showing marks his best scoring performance since Feb. 26, and it was also reassuring to see him shoulder a heavier workload after getting stuck around the 20-minute mark in his previous two games.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Drops 31 points in win
Rotowire
Gilgeous-Alexander accumulated 31 points (9-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 13-15 FT), two rebounds, three assists and four steals over 35 minutes during Sunday's 118-112 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Gilgeous-Alexander posted an efficient shooting night and got to the charity stripe with ease. This is the fourth time in 10 March appearances that he's attempted double-digit free throws. Gilgeous-Alexander has now put up 30 or more points in eight of his last 10 matchups.
Waters has been ruled out for Sunday's game agains the Trail Blazers due to plantar fasciitis, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Waters is averaging 18.9 minutes over his the Thunder's past nine games, so his absence should open up more minutes for Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe. Waters' next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Hornets.
Thunder's Jeremiah Robinson-Earl: Shows signs of life with 14 points
Rotowire
Robinson-Earl racked up 14 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds in 17 minutes during Friday's 116-111 loss to the Lakers.
Robinson-Earl had been a non-factor for OKC of late, as he entered Friday having played in just three of the team's previous seven games and averaging a meager 1.3 points and 3.0 rebounds over 8.3 minutes during that stretch. The Villanova product made his presence known against Los Angeles, however, tallying his highest point total since early December on the strength of an efficient 5-for-6 shooting line. The Thunder are clawing to remain in the Western Conference playoff picture, so Robinson-Earl may not see this level of playing time moving forward despite his strong effort Friday.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Ties for team lead in scoring
Rotowire
Gilgeous-Alexander registered 27 points (9-22 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), five rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Friday's 116-111 loss to the Lakers.
Gilgeous-Alexander is dealing with an abdominal strain, but it didn't prevent him from taking the court in a critical game against Los Angeles. The star point guard managed to tie for the team lead with 27 points, though his 9-for-22 mark from the field was subpar by his standard. Gilgeous-Alexander added a team-high eight assists in the loss, his highest mark since he dished eight dimes the last time he faced the Lakers on Feb. 7.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Josh Giddey: Posts massive line in loss
Rotowire
Giddey contributed 27 points (12-24 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 17 rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 39 minutes during Friday's 116-111 loss to the Lakers.
Giddey looked like the best player on the court for OKC on Friday, tying for the team lead in scoring and pacing the club with 17 boards. Both his point and rebound total fell one shy of a career-high mark, and he added seven assists to round out a superb fantasy line. Giddey logged his 26th double-double of the campaign.
Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Unlikely to see playing time
Rotowire
Pokusevski is available for Friday's game versus the Lakers but likely won't play, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Pokusevski hasn't played since Dec. 27, so the Thunder are likely trying to slowly incorporate him back into the lineup. However, the 20-year-old forward should be featured in the rotation soon.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Cleared for Friday
Rotowire
Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers.
This is the second night of a back-to-back set, but with the Thunder looking to make a playoff push, they will allow their franchise player to give it a go. He played only 27 minutes Thursday, so he should be relatively fresh.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Jared Butler: Recalled to NBA
Rotowire
The Thunder recalled Butler from the Oklahoma City Blue on Thursday, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Butler will remain with the Thunder for the rest of the year now that the Blue's season is over. The second-year guard will be available for Friday's game versus the Lakers.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Officially available Friday
Rotowire
Pokusevski (lower leg) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game against the Lakers.
Pokusevski was recalled from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue earlier Friday and will officially be able to suit up for the parent club's matchup against the Lakers. He hasn't taken the court for the Thunder since Dec. 27, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him face a minutes restriction Friday.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Iffy against Lakers
Rotowire
Gilgeous-Alexander is questionable for Friday's game versus the Lakers due to an abdominal strain.
Gilgeous-Alexander's potential absence could result in extended minutes for Isaiah Joe and Tre Mann. If Gilgeous-Alexander is unable to suit up Friday, his next chance to do so will be Sunday's matchup with Portland.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Luguentz Dort: Inefficient in loss
Rotowire
Dort produced three points (1-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 30 minutes during Thursday's 127-105 loss to the Clippers.
Dort has been cold from the floor this week, as he's converted on just 18.2 percent of his field-goal attempts over the last two matchups. While he's remained productive on the boards, it's been a discouraging stretch for the 23-year-old, who has scored in double figures in just seven of his 12 appearances this month. During that time, he's averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 32.7 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Recalled by parent club
Rotowire
Pokusevski was recalled from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Pokusevski had been sidelined since late December with a non-displaced left tibial fracture, but he was assigned to the G League on March 6 and appeared in Wednesday's loss to Ontario. It's certainly possible he'll be able to suit up for the Thunder's game against the Lakers on Friday, but assuming he's available, it wouldn't be surprising to see his playing time monitored.
Thunder's Jaylin Williams: Nears double-double in loss
Rotowire
Williams racked up eight points (3-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals over 26 minutes during Thursday's 127-105 loss to the Clippers.
As usual, Williams wasn't a big factor on the offensive end, but he made solid contributions elsewhere, particularly with his nine boards. The rookie big man continues to take most of his shots from distance -- including Thursday, he's taken more three-pointers than two-pointers in three straight contests. Williams has made half of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc during that time and is shooting 42.2 percent from deep this season, but his lack of overall offensive volume depresses his fantasy value significantly.
