The Thunder couldn’t upset the surging Nikola Jokic and company this time, losing 107-113. The boys in orange and blue had a lot of good individual games, however so it wasn’t a total loss. Now which of those players played their best? This is the Thunder vs. Nuggets recap.
Theo Maledon Performance
Maledon has been on a heater in his last two games as he posted 20 points, four boards, three dimes, two steals and five turnovers on 6/13 from the field, 2.4 from three and 6/6 from the line. Maledon has finally gotten another chance to show what he’s learned in the G-League and through practice. He’s averaging 16 points, 1.7 threes, three boards, 3.3 dimes, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers on 55% from the field and 100% from the line. He’s going to continue getting minutes for this tanking team and it’s not crazy to think he can keep putting up these kinds of numbers. Expect him to continue providing some nice numbers.
Aleksej Pokusevski Performance
Poku is finally showing OKC fans the upside he showed us his rookie season. He put up 17 points, five boards, five assists, two steals, and two turnovers on 5/8 from the field, 2/4 from three and 5/6 from the line. Over the last two weeks, he has been averaging 13.1 points, 1.3 threes, 7.4 boards, four assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers on 42% from the field and 75% from the line. The shooting isn’t the greatest, but the kid is finally getting a chance. He hasn’t been given the same opportunities this season until lately. He’s going to continue racking up nice stats and minutes over the course of the final portion of the season. Expect him to continue getting minutes.
Isaiah Roby Performance
Roby is such a good player when given minutes. He has been stuffing the stat-sheet over the last month. He’s been averaging 11.2 points, one three, 5.5 boards, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, one block and 0.8 turnovers on 51% from the field and 77% from the line. Roby is a jack-of-all-trades player for this squad and he is able to put up some very fun numbers. It remains to be seen what his role is going to look like next year. Until then, his role right now looks solidified until the end of the season. He is a free agent next season but the team currently holds his bird rights so he could remain with the team under a new contract. Who knows, though as teams may be interested in his services.
Tre Mann Performance
Mann had a pretty rough game, going for 15 points, five boards, three dimes, one steal, one block, and five turnovers on 5/15 from the field, 2/6 from three and 3/3 from the line. The five turnovers and 5/15 from the field are definitely not ideal, but he still scored the ball and wasn’t afraid to let it fly. Mann is prone to off nights like this one, but he’s still going to be a really good player in the future for this club. Expect him to continue playing minutes with the starters for the rest of the season.