OCTOBER 20, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 37-9 · 1ST IN WESTERN CONFERENCE
37-9 · 1ST IN WESTERN CONFERENCE
Next Game vs Kings · Sun 1:00AM
Thunder: Kenrich Williams Gets Starting Nod in Game 1, Could Change Moving Forward Kenrich Williams found himself playing with the starters in OKC’s first regular season game, but with a host of different combinations it re...
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads Top Performers in Opening Night Loss to Timberwolves The Thunder’s backcourt looked fresh on opening night.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Tre Mann - Scores 12 points off bench Mann produced 12 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 115-108 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Mann proved his value as a scoring threat last season and should play a similar role this time around, and though he wasn't exactly efficient with his play, he still ended as one of the Thunder's top scoring players in this season-opening loss. Mann averaged 10.4 points per game last season, but if he keeps progressing, then he's likely to top that figure throughout the current campaign.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aleksej Pokusevski - Struggles from field in loss Pokusevski logged 11 points (3-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one block over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 115-108 loss to the Timberwolves.
Impact Pokusevski didn't have a good shooting performance and needed 10 shots just to score 11 points, but he still provided a solid fantasy outing thanks to his ability to contribute in other categories. He's expected to see heavy minutes on a rebuilding Thunder team, and that should boost his fantasy appeal on a nightly basis.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Josh Giddey - Double-doubles in season opener Giddey logged 14 points (6-14 FG, 2-7 3Pt), 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 115-108 loss to Minnesota.
Impact Giddey needed 14 shots just to score 14 points and wasn't really efficient from three-point range, but those shooting woes are always expected with him. As he showed in different moments throughout last season, Giddey's value will rely more on his ability to stuff the box score rather than just being a pure scoring threat. He averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists per contest in 2021-22.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Dominant in season debut Gilgeous-Alexander ended Wednesday's 115-108 loss to the Timberwolves with 32 points (12-23 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals over 37 mi...
Impact Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the preseason due to a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, but he didn't appear to have any limitations during Wednesday's regular-season opener. Although the Thunder were unable to pick up the win, the 24-year-old led the team in scoring and assists to help keep the game within reach. Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's preseason absence, he seems to be in peak form now that the regular season is underway.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Wednesday's Wolves-Oklahoma City game recap A look back at Wednesday night's season opener at Target Center.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
THUNDER at TIMBERWOLVES | NBA FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | October 19, 2022
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Gobert thrives in T-wolves debut to lead 115-108 win vs. OKC
Rudy Gobert had 23 points and 15 rebounds in his Minnesota debut as the Timberwolves recovered to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-108 in the season openerOCTOBER 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves - Full Game Highlights | October 19, 2022
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Rudy Gobert WOLVES DEBUT 🔥 23 PTS, 16 REB vs Thunder
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • YOUTUBE
Jalen Williams - Won't return Wednesday Williams won't return to Wednesday's game against Minnesota due to a right eye injury, Steve McGehee of News 9 Oklahoma City reports.
Impact Williams picked up the injury during the first half of Wednesday's season opener. Before exiting, the rookie logged six minutes of action and posted five points and one assist in his debut.
OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jalen Williams - Moves back to bench Wednesday Williams is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener versus the Timberwolves, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Williams started and played 31 minutes in last Thursday's preseason finale. Despite scoring 21 points, Williams will return to his backup forward role as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's return bumps out of the starting lineup Wednesday.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl - Won't start season opener Robinson-Earl will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Impact With Kenrich Williams set to draw the start alongside Aleksej Pokusevski in Oklahoma City's frontcourt Wednesday, Robinson-Earl will shift to a reserve role. It's unclear how often the Thunder will switch up the rotation moving forward, but Robinson-Earl should rejoin the starting unit at some point based on future matchups.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jaylin Williams - Moves back to bench Williams is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener versus the Timberwolves, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Williams started and played 26 minutes in last Thursday's preseason finale. However, he only tallied one point, 11 rebounds and two assists, so he will likely move back to a reserve role Wednesday.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Starting as expected Gilgeous-Alexander will start Wednesday's season opener against the Timberwolves, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Impact Gilgeous-Alexander will assume his place in Oklahoma City's starting five after he was limited during the preseason due to a sprained MCL. Rounding out the rest of the starting unit will be Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Aleksej Pokusevski and Kenrich Williams.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Aleksej Pokusevski - Set to start Wednesday Pokusevski is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener versus Minnestoa, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.
Impact Pokusevski will start Wednesday after coming off the bench in last Thursday's preseason finale against the Spurs. Pokusevski will look to improve upon his 40.8 field goal percentage and 28.9 three-point percentage from last season.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kenrich Williams - In starting lineup Wednesday Williams is in the Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network Wednesday versus Minnesota.
Impact Although not starting a single matchup last season, Williams gets the nod in the season opener this year. The forward averaged 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds across 49 appearances per matchup.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Injury Report: Thunder Expected to be Healthy for Season Opener The Thunder tip-off their 2022-23 campaign in Minnesota on Wednesday and are expected to be near full health.
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Timberwolves-Oklahoma City game preview: Thunder struggling with rebuilding plan The Thunder had three lottery picks in the 2022 NBA draft, but a season-ending foot injury to No. 2 overall pick and former Minnehaha Academ...
OCTOBER 19, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Steals are an Underrated Part of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Arsenal Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to hover around the team’s best steal getter in each of his seasons with OKC.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Isaiah Joe Appreciates Oklahoma City's Team-First Culture The Thunder added perimeter shooting help days before the regular season.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM
Mike Muscala - Available for opener Muscala (ankle) will be available for Wednesday's season opener against the Timberwolves, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact Muscala didn't participate in the preseason while working his way back from an ankle injury, but it appears he'll avoid missing regular-season action. The big man will likely log more minutes than was expected after rookie second-overall pick Chet Holmgren suffered a season-ending Linsfranc injury at a pro-am event in late August.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Luguentz Dort - Cleared for opener Dort (quadriceps) is available for Wednesday's season opener against the Timberwolves, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact Dort exited the preseason finale with a bruised left quad but will be fine for the opener. He reached career marks in points (17.2), rebounds (4.2), field-goal percentage (40.4) and free-throw percentage (84.3) last season.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kenrich Williams - Confirmed available for opener Williams (groin) is available for Wednesday's season opener against the Timberwolves, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Impact No surprise here, as Williams was expected to be cleared. Williams saw 21.9 minutes per game with OKC last year and averaged 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
