JANUARY 11, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
DARIUS BAZLEY
5.3 PPG •
3.1 RPG •
0.8 APG
5.3 PPG
3.1 RPG
0.8 APG
Darius Bazley's Role Nearly Non-Existent to Begin 2023 Darius Bazley’s time on the Thunder may be coming to an end based on minutes to begin January
Two straight DNP-CDs Bazley has been a DNP-Coach's Decision in the Thunder's past two games.
Impact When asked about Bazley's absence from the rotation, coach Mark Daigneault responded that he's "rifling through guys" but noted, "it always comes back around," implying the forward will see the floor again relatively soon. The Thunder's rotation remains arguably the toughest to predict in the NBA, with the team constantly experimenting.
JANUARY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Upgraded to available Bazley (illness) is available for Wednesday's game versus Portland.
Impact Bazley has been upgraded from questionable to available Wednesday after missing the last three games with an illness. Bazley might make his second of the season against Portland after making his first in his last appearance.
DECEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Now considered questionable Bazley (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Impact Bazley was slated to miss a fourth consecutive game due to an illness Wednesday, but he'll be in the mix to suit up against Portland. He's logged double-digit minutes in each of his last five appearances.
DECEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out Wednesday Bazley (illness) is out for Wednesday's matchup against the Trail Blazers.
Impact An illness will keep Bazley out for a fourth game. In his absence, Eugene Omoruyi, Kenrich Williams and Lindy Waters remain candidates to see more action.
DECEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play Monday Bazley (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Impact Bazley is set to miss a third straight game, and his next chance to feature will come Wednesday in a rematch against the Trail Blazers. In his absence, Aleksej Pokusevski, Jalen Williams and Mike Muscala could all see slightly increased roles.
DECEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out again Bazley (illness) will remain sidelined for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.
Impact Bazley is still under the weather and will miss both nights of a back-to-back set as a result. In his absence, Aleksej Pokusevski, Jalen Williams and Mike Muscala figure to all see slightly increased roles.
DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Sidelined Friday with illness Bazley will not play in Friday's game versus the Timberwolves due to a non-COVID illness.
Impact Bazley started and saw hefty minutes at center Wednesday with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) out, but he will also now miss at least a contest after coming down with a bug. Mike Muscala, Aleksej Pokusvski and Jaylin Williams could be candidates to see added run in his absence, which could extend to at least two games if he can't make the turnaround for Saturday's second tilt of the back-to-back set.
DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dominates center minutes in loss Bazley played 31 minutes in Wednesday's 110-108 loss to the Heat, finishing with 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-7 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
Impact At least for the first game of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl's absence due to an ankle injury that could keep him out multiple weeks, Bazley appeared to be the main beneficiary. He picked up his first start of the season and saw his most minutes of the 2022-23 campaign, turning in a well-rounded line in the process. While Aleksej Pokusevski (eight minutes Wednesday) should be more of a factor in the frontcourt in future games, Bazley's stouter frame may make him the preferred candidate to see the majority of the playing time at center when the Thunder oppose bigger, paint-oriented big men such as the Heat's Bam Adebayo.
DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets starting nod Bazley is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Miami, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Bazley will replace Aleksej Pokusevski in the starting lineup Wednesday. Bazley will make his first start of the season against the Heat.
DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back in rotation Saturday Bazley racked up eight points (3-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt), three rebounds, one block and one steal in 26 minutes during Saturday's 110-102 loss to the Cavaliers.
Impact Bazley re-entered the rotation Saturday, logging 26 minutes off the bench. After sitting out the previous two games, head coach Mark Daigneault obviously felt as though this matchup called for a dose of Bazley. As he has done all season, Bazley was able to chip in on the defensive end but failed to do much else. Outside of limited streaming appeal, Bazley can be left for those in deeper formats only.
DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Set to re-enter rotation Coach Mark Daigneault said Bazley will receive some run Saturday at Cleveland after being a DNP-CD in their previous two games, Spencer Davies of BasketballNews.com reports.
Impact Bazley was removed from the rotation for the last two games but is slated to return to action for Saturday's contest. He has shown the ability to be fantasy relevant in deeper leagues, having averaged 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game. However, given how inconsistent the Thunder rotation has been this season, it will be hard to trust him as a long-term asset.
DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Why the Thunder Should Move Darius Bazley Thunder forward Darius Bazley has seemingly fallen out of Oklahoma City’s rotation in the final year of his rookie deal and the front office...
DECEMBER 9, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Darius Bazley Worked Out of Rotation in Recent Road Trip Darius Bazley was a starter nearly a year ago and now his role is nearly nonexistent with the team.
DECEMBER 8, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Darius Bazley Worked Out of Rotation in Recent Road Trip Darius Bazley was a starter nearly a year ago and now his role is nearly nonexistent with the team.
DECEMBER 8, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
As Oklahoma City's Road Stretch Continues, Darius Bazley Stays on the Bench Even though the Thunder’s front court is seemingly short handed, Darius Bazley hasn’t played in two straight games.
DECEMBER 8, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Darius Bazley Finding Success In New Role with Thunder Oklahoma City’s forward, Darius Bazley, is finally finding some success on the court after switching roles in his final year of his rookie c...
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Only 13 minutes in loss Bazley supplied one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one block in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 131-126 overtime loss to Denver.
Impact Bazley saw limited run in the loss, ending the night with a depleted box score. The Thunder are certainly willing to go deep into their rotation on any given night, meaning Bazley is often overlooked. Outside of some appeal as a blocks streamer, he can generally be left for those in deeper formats.
NOVEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Swats three shots in return Bazley (ankle) played 18 minutes and finished with seven points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-7 FT), three rebounds and three blocks in Monday's 129-119 loss to the Knicks.
Impact Bazley -- who returned from a five-game absence due to a right ankle sprain -- and Eugene Omoruyi served as the Thunder's top reserves in the frontcourt behind Kenrich Williams and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl while Aleksej Pokusevski (ankle) was sidelined. Assuming Pokusevski's injury is only a short-term concern, Bazley seems more likely than Omoruyi and Williams to retain a spot in head coach Mark Daigneault's rotation, given how all three players have been used when the Thunder are at full strength in the frontcourt. Even so, Bazley has eclipsed 20 minutes just three times in his 12 appearances on the season, which makes it difficult for him to be trusted as a fantasy option outside of deeper leagues.
NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Darius Bazley Notches Solid Performance in Return to Action After an ankle injury kept Darius Bazley out of OKC’s previous five matchups, the former five-star prospect contributed quality minutes in h...
NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Available Monday Bazley (ankle) is available for Monday's game against the Knicks, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact After initially being ruled out for Monday's matchup, Bazley was upgraded to questionable Monday morning and will be able to return to action after missing the last six games due to a sprained right ankle. He averaged 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game over 11 appearances prior to his absence.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Thunder Missing Depth Between Tre Mann and Darius Bazley Injuries Oklahoma City clearly missed key contributors during last weeks road trip.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • SACBEE.COM
Thunder Missing Depth Between Tre Mann and Darius Bazley Injuries Oklahoma City clearly missed key contributors during last weeks road trip.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Upgraded to questionable Bazley (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Knicks.
Impact Bazley was initially ruled out for Monday's matchup due to his right ankle sprain, but he'll be in the mix to suit up against New York. He's missed the last six games, and it's still possible that he sits out Monday. However, it's at least encouraging that he's been upgraded to questionable a few hours before tipoff.
NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gilgeous-Alexander leads Oklahoma City into matchup with New York
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Oklahoma City into a matchup against New York averaging 31.1 points per gameNOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
