The Thunder lost second round pick Atega Owe before tearing his Achilles tendon during the preseason (he was later waived to make room for Micah Peavy), then Jalen Williams (fractured fibula/dislocated left ankle), Cason Wallace (torn left lip) and Chet Holmgren (a small tear of the tendon of the right patella) all suffered serious injuries On October 25, the team’s third game of the season.
Head coach Mark Dyno says Oklahoma City isn’t looking for sympathy amid a brutal wave of injuries, per Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almanza (Link to video on Twitter).
“We understand the task before us. Obviously, our circumstances have changed significantly in a week, so this kind of rephrases the challenge,– said Daino.But sympathy does not help to compete. Excuses don’t help you compete. And we have a competitive team, so we’re excited to go there and compete and take on the challenge head-on.”
After opening the season 4-0, the Thunder have lost their last two games – both on the road – to Dallas and Houston, respectively.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- After Saturday’s loss in Houston, Thunder coach Dyno was also asked about what his team has learned from facing adversity in the past, like Justin Martinez of the Oklahoma Relays (Link to video on Twitter). “Adversity obviously tests you in terms of your discipline in terms of your standards and discipline in going about things that you think are important to you.” said Dyno. “And it also tests your courage. It makes you persevere. It raises your standard. It has worked well for us over time. But you’re only as good as the task you step into, so we have to do it now. This is a team that I’m very confident in our ability to approach it the right way, think about it the right way and attack it the right way. Take our hits like we did tonight and throw a few too, which we will. Here’s how to approach it.”
- Nuisance was an important issue for Timberwolves acting out Lamela’s ball earlier this season. He’s averaging 4.3 fouls per game in a career-low 25.1 minutes per contest, and was fouled out after just 20 minutes in Saturday’s loss at San Antonio. Head coach Chris Finch talked about Ball’s foul trouble after the game, tweets John Krawczynski of The Athletic. “He needs to get over it… But to be honest, they’re fouling him all over the floor. They’ve got him in their hands, they’re holding him, they’re driving him out of line. On the other hand, he gets whistled for a bunch of touch fouls” said Finch.
- The Jazz They were expected to challenge for a playoff spot, if not the playoffs, in the Western Conference this season. However, they got off to a poor 1-5 start and were completely outplayed by Portland on Saturday. Shreyas Ladda of The Salt Lake Tribune looks at what’s a real concern for Utah and what’s an overreaction amid a sluggish start.
