Luguentz Dort Dazzles in Homecoming, Thunder Falls to Pistons In Late-Game Fashion
In a homecoming game for Luguentz Dort and a chance to extend its one-game win streak to a two-game stint, the Oklahoma City Thunder packed its bags and went to Montreal, Québec to face the winless Detroit Pistons.
Of course, both teams had only played one NBA Preseason game prior top facing off in the United States' Northern neighbor, but with a loss already to their name, the Pistons had even more to play for, and it showed ... for about a two combined quarters.
Detroit started off competitive with the Thunder, rallying largely behind point guard duo Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes— who finished their night with 13 and 16 points, respectively — but fell completely out of the game in the second and third quarters until the last minute-and-a-half of the game, when it completed its comeback to secure a 128-125 victory.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw his first action since the bronze medal game in this summer's FIBA World Cup, picking up where he left off this summer in a limited number of minutes.
On the night, he tallied 12 points, three steals and three assists on 75% shooting, but it was Dort who ultimately stole the show, notching 25 points, including five 3s, on 67% shooting from the floor on his homecoming night.
The first quarter from Bell Centre proved to be competitive, as Detroit remained in striking distance of the Thunder, coming within three points of it numerous times.
Despite the close play, however, the Pistons couldn't quite get over the hump and take a led beyond the first few minutes, as Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort combined for 23 first quarter points by themselves — more than the entire Pistons starting lineup — to take a six-point lead after one.
The second quarter was much of the same story. More offensive production from the Thunder led to Oklahoma City's lead extending to double figures, and rookie Chet Holmgren played a large role in that.
Holmgren notched his first points of the game in the second, quickly joining the double-figure club with three makes to re-establish himself on both ends of the floor while Dort continued to have himself a day, finishing with 18 points on the half as Oklahoma City took an 74-58 lead to the locker room.
Thunder forward Jalen Williams found his stride to close out the first half, and continued where he left off in the second half. By the end of the third quarter, he tallied 17 points and three steals to go along with Holmgren's 16, and the Thunder kept itself out front.
"Out front" meant a significant lead, but that didn't happen without slight pushback from Detroit.
As a team, the Pistons outscored Oklahoma City by four points in the third in an attempt to mount a comeback, but some solid passing from rookie Vasilije Micic — who finished his first game with Oklahoma City with three assists — late in the quarter allowed the Thunder to rebuild their lead to 12 points and fend off the Pistons.
Then, the fourth quarter drama began.
What started with back-to-back 3s from both the Thunder and Pistons turned into a quick 7-1 run by Detroit — led by recently acquired center James Wiseman — to cut Oklahoma City's lead to just six.
From there, both squads went back-and-forth and the six-point Detroit deficit held all the way until three minutes to play, when a Wiseman floater cut the Thunder's lead to just three points, which turned into a tie-game a minute later and a Pistons lead 30 seconds after that.
Despite Oklahoma City's best efforts, a late foul by two-way guard Lindy Waters III put the Pistons on the line, where they took a three-point lead with under 20 seconds to play. It became a free-throw shootout from there, and the Pistons ultimately held off the Thunder to complete their 128-125 comeback
Falling to the Pistons broke the Thunder's perfect preseason record, as it fell to 1-1. The loss now allows the young Oklahoma City squad to rebuild momentum and chemistry Sunday afternoon, when OKC takes on the Brandon Miller and Charlotte Hornets looking to earn a second win.
Tipoff from Spectrum Center is set for 4 p.m. CST.
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