NBA Power Rankings: Suns, Warriors flying high at midseason
Where does each team stand at the midway point of the NBA season? Ric Bucher breaks it down in his midseason power rankings.JANUARY 20, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 10-2 · 1ST IN WESTERN CONFERENCE
10-2 · 1ST IN WESTERN CONFERENCE
Next Game vs Suns · Sat 1:00AM
OKC -6.5 TOTAL 226
Rejoins starting five Wiggins will start Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact Wiggins came off the bench the past two games but will return to the lineup for Wednesday's contest. Darius Bazley will shift to the bench as a result.
JANUARY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Shifts back to bench Bazley will come off the bench Wednesday against the Spurs, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact Bazley made his first start since mid-December against the Mavericks on Monday and will return to the bench after posting two points (1-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 19 minutes. Aaron Wiggins will enter the lineup in his place.
JANUARY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out Wednesday Favors is out Wednesday against the Spurs due to lower back soreness.
Impact Favors was technically a DNP-CD during Monday's game against the Mavericks, though it's possible he was dealing with the sore back at that point. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Mike Muscala should occupy most of the center minutes in Favors' absence.
JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Mavs LIVE Updates: - FINAL Dallas 104 vs. Oklahoma City 102 The 24-19 Dallas Mavericks continue their fight for home-court advantage against the lottery-bound Oklahoma City Thunder. Get your live upda...
JANUARY 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Nearing return Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said Tuesday that Williams (COVID-19 protocols) is "close" to rejoining the team and could be available at some point during the remaining three...
Impact Since Williams has been out since Jan. 10 after entering the protocols, he'll more than likely need to get in at least one practice before the Thunder clear him to play. With that in mind, Williams looks safe to rule out for Wednesday's game in San Antonio, even if he happens to clear protocols earlier that day. Friday's game in Charlotte or Saturday's game in Cleveland could represent more realistic targets for Williams' return.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Good rebounding against Legends Watson recorded two points (1-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 25 minutes in Monday's 117-94 loss to the Texas Legends.
Impact Watson led his team in rebounds Monday, but he was dreadful shooting the ball, making just 12.5 percent of his attempts against Texas. He also had three turnovers in the game.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Mediocre in defeat Robinson-Earl contributed nine points (4-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Monday's 104-102 loss to the Mavericks.
Impact The rookie is experiencing some growing pains as the Thunder's everyday starting center, but the Villanova product's raw talent is evident. The team was confident enough to part ways with Moses Brown after selecting Robinson-Earl with their first pick, and although he has decent value as a dynasty pick, he's currently in the bottom tier of available starting centers.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Solid in defeat Dort supplied 18 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 104-102 loss to the Mavericks.
Impact Dort compiled an excellent all-around game in the defeat. Dort's dazzling 27-point effort in a blowout against the Nets last week is evidence of Dort's tremendous upside in the right situation. Thanks to his defensive skill set, he'll frequently be able to pad his fantasy impact with a combination of rebound and steal totals as well.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Stellar with 34 points Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points (11-18 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 11-12 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Monday's 104-102 loss to the Mavericks.
Impact Gilgeous-Alexander's line is even more impressive when considering how sticky Luka Doncic was on defense. The Thunder's top player was smothered by Doncic all night, but he somehow got many shots to fall and drew enough fouls to pad his totals at the free-throw line. It's been a tough road for Oklahoma City recently, but they'd be completely lost without the Kentucky product's January production. Over seven games in January, he's averaging 22.7 points, 6.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder take on conference foe San Antonio
Oklahoma City travels to San Antonio for a Western Conference matchup WednesdayJANUARY 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Final 0:51 WILD ENDING Mavericks vs Thunder 🔥🔥
JANUARY 18, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Doncic's triple-double leads Mavericks past Thunder 104-102
Luka Doncic had 20 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his third triple-double in five games, and the surging Dallas Mavericks withstood a late run by the Oklahoma City Thunder...JANUARY 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
THUNDER at MAVERICKS ' FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS ' January 17, 2022
JANUARY 18, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Will come off bench Monday Favors is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Mavericks, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Favors will come off the bench Monday with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl moving to center and Darius Bazley drawing the start at power forward. This shouldn't change the minutes distribution much as Favors played just 17 and 16 minutes in his two most recent starts. The 30-year-old should be in line for about 10-15 minutes of playing time Monday.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back in starting five Bazley is starting Monday against the Mavericks, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact After coming off the bench in 10 straight games, Bazley has earned himself another chance with the first unit. He's been solid off the bench of late, averaging 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist over his last six. Derrick Favors will come off the bench and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will get a look at center as a result of this lineup change.
JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled to parent club The Thunder recalled Krejci (ankle) from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact Mussatto reports that this is simply an administrative move, as Krejci won't be traveling with the team and still has a ways to go in his recovery from a severe ankle sprain. He hasn't suited up for either the Thunder or the Blue since Dec. 22.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
OKC Thunder news: Aleksej Pokusevski, Theo Maledon, Isaiah Roby to Blue; Vit Krejci to Thunder The Thunder announced a series of moves between the NBA and G League on Sunday.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • USATODAY.COM
Produces 17 points off bench Bazley provided 17 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal across 28 minutes during Saturday's 107-102 loss to the Cavaliers.
Impact Bazley has never been an efficient scorer but such was the case Saturday, as he ended as one of the Thunder's highest-scoring players while also ending just three rebounds away from putting up a double-double. The third-year pro has been playing off the bench since mid-December and is averaging 11.5 points per game across 10 contests since then.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Puts up double-double Giddey recorded 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block across 30 minutes during Saturday's 107-102 loss to the Cavaliers.
Impact Giddey has been one of the most productive, versatile rookies this season and has been thriving due to his ability to fill the stat sheet on a regular basis. The rookie has scored in double digits in each of his last seven contests -- his longest streak of the season -- and has four double-doubles in that span.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Carries OKC in defeat Gilgeous-Alexander closed with 21 points (7-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes during Saturday's 107-102 loss to Clev...
Impact Gilgeous-Alexander reached the 20-point mark for the third straight contest and these games have been a bounce-back performance compared to the way he started the year. The electric point guard has averaged 20.8 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 assists per game across six appearances this month.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dallas takes home win streak into matchup with Oklahoma City
Dallas aims to continue its four-game home win streak with a victory over Oklahoma CityJANUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Darius Garland has 27 points, career-high 18 assists in Cavs' comeback win over Thunder Cavaliers finish 5-1 road trip by erasing 18-point deficit in victory over Oklahoma City Thunder
JANUARY 16, 2022 • BEACONJOURNAL.COM
Garland has 27 points, 18 assists to help Cavs beat Thunder
Darius Garland had 27 points and a career-high 18 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-102 on Saturday night for t...JANUARY 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Darius Garland ignites Cleveland Cavaliers' rally from 18-point deficit in 107-102 win over Oklahoma City Thunder The Cavaliers wrapped up their six-game road trip on Saturday night in Oklahoma City.
JANUARY 16, 2022 • CLEVELAND.COM
