Three Takeaways from the OKC Thunder’s Second Consecutive Loss
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s tough January schedule continued on Tuesday night as the OKC dropped their second consecutive game in Los Angeles.
After falling to the Lakers on Monday night, the Thunder squared off against the Clippers on Tuesday, losing 128-117.
Oklahoma City still has eight games left out of its 17 January contests, with two matchups against the Timberwolves and another showdown with the defending champion Denver Nuggets on the schedule in the coming weeks.
After dropping two consecutive games, OKC will need to quickly adjust from their shortcomings in LA before they prepare to face some of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Here are three takeaways from the Thunder’s Tuesday night loss to the Clippers.
Jalen Williams continues to ascend
After a solid rookie season that saw Jalen Williams earn First-Team All-Rookie Honors, the 2022 lottery pick has been even better in his second year with the team.
So far this season, Williams is averaging 18.6 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 54.8% from the field and 45% from 3-point range.
Williams has become the team’s second option on offense and has cemented himself as one member of the team’s “big three”. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Holmgren have an off night, Williams is there to pick up the slack and keep the Thunder in contention.
Over his last 12 games, Williams is averaging 20.3 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting a whopping 62.2% from the field and 60.5% from beyond the arc. Last night against the Clippers, Williams led the Thunder with 25 points, seven assists and three rebounds, going 10-for-14 from the field and 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
As Williams continues to improve, he is actively raising OKC’s ceiling and helping the team exceed expectations again this season. If the Santa Clara product continues to ascend, he will likely start to get All-Star votes before his rookie contract is up.
Stars’ struggles persist
Against Los Angeles on Tuesday night, Gilgeous-Alexander and rookie center Chet Holmgren combined for 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
While these stats aren’t egregious, it is the same output that OKC fans have grown to expect from Gilgeous-Alexander on his own.
Every player has an off night, especially in a long season, but two of Oklahoma City's mainstays have now struggled in the past two games.
Against the Lakers on Monday night, Gilgeous-Alexander went 9-of-19 from the floor to finish with 24 points, six assists and three rebounds, also turning the ball over three times.
Holmgren chipped in nine points, four assists and eight rebounds while shooting 4-of-9 from the field and committing three turnovers of his own.
Against the Clippers, the duo was even more inefficient, with SGA going 6-of-16 for 19 points four assists and two rebounds while Holmgren finished 2-of-10 for eight points, five rebounds and five assists.
While the Thunder have been able to remain competitive with two of their key pieces in a minor slump, the team will continue to struggle in their upcoming slate if Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander are not able to get back on track.
Thunder bench bounces back
After a lackluster performance against the Lakers on Monday night, Oklahoma City’s bench had a much better showing against the Clippers.
Of the five players who earned more than 10 minutes off the bench, four of them shot 50% or better from the field.
After giving the team 28 points, 14 rebounds and three assists against the Lakers, OKC’s bench unit contributed 37 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists in the Thunder’s Tuesday night loss.
Isaiah Joe was Oklahoma City’s leading scorer off the bench against the Clippers, going 5-of-6 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Joe’s performance came on the heels of one of his worst outings this season, as the sharpshooter went 2-of-10 against the Lakers on Monday night.
Aaron Wiggins and Vasilije Micic both went 3-for-4 from the field on Tuesday evening to finish with seven points. Rookie guard Cason Wallace went 2-for-4 and finished with five points against the Clippers.
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