Late Game Lineups Costing Oklahoma City Early

Oklahoma City has been in every single game this year besides an early contest against the Denver Nuggets. Mark Daigneault has had chances to work on late game lineups and execution, which will go a long ways at the end of the year when the Thunder need wins down the stretch.

The Thunder's two worst losses to date have been a 22-point blown lead to the Pelicans and a Friday night loss in Sacramento where nothing seemed to go right. Both games involved lineups in the fourth quarter that couldn't get the job done.

Josh Giddey was struggling against the Pelicans, which in turn meant more minutes for Oklahoma City's versatile guards Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace. When the game was on the line and the Thunder had to make a run, Giddey was subbed back into the game. It didn't go well.

The Thunder lost and execution was poor at the end of the game. When Daigneault was asked about it after the loss, he said he brought Giddey back in to develop chemistry amongst the starting five in pivotal moments of the game. It makes sense, but fans still clamored for the Thunder to just go after wins instead of building chemistry.

On Friday night, the Thunder opted against building chemistry with the starters, leaving two-way player Lindy Waters III and backup center Jaylin Williams in the game for the majority of the fourth quarter. When it was time to make a run, OKC's starters, minus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, stayed on the bench.

It makes sense to send a message to the players that hustle and hard work can earn minutes, but it's an inconsistent message from the one he sent against the Pelicans.

It's early in the season, and line experimentation is likely. Oklahoma City has always opted to try new things and see what works at the beginning of the season.

For now, though, it has cost the Thunder two games.

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