Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Continue To Struggle in Afternoon Games

Once again, the OKC Thunder struggled in an afternoon game, dropping their third straight in that setting. Not only are the Thunder losing, but they have been embarrassed by the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and now the Dallas Mavericks.

After getting down by as many as 41 on Saturday, it was natural to question why Oklahoma City performs so poorly in afternoon games. Is it all just a coincidence? It has only been three games, and who is to say these would not have been three of the handful of games a year a team was bound to lose before the ball is thrown up.

However, it goes a little deeper than that. When the start time is accelerated by a few hours, it has to throw a wrinkle into your pregame routine. While that is no excuse, it is an explanation.

"Obviously it is different, you do not have the full day for your normal routine.” Thunder rookie center Chet Holmgren said. “Shoot around time, film time, might be different, or might not have shoot around. That is no excuse, we have to have the same preparation and mindset coming into every game, no matter what time it is."

In these games, the Thunder have lacked defensive energy and looked sloppy on the offensive end. They are not able to bring their normal "juice" to a game, as superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put it postgame on Saturday.

While in the big picture of an 82-game season, these afternoon games are few and far between, this trend is still a concern for Oklahoma City. As the playoffs roll around, there is an uptick in afternoon tilts, and in a seven-game sample size, it only takes one game to swing things at times.

When asked about this trend, Oklahoma City bench boss Mark Daigneault explained, "It is an afternoon game for the opponent, too." not wanting to make any excuses for the mid-day duds.

The second-youngest roster in the NBA has to adjust to the earlier tip time and learn to play their brand of basketball at any time of day.

Three of the Thunder's four double-digit losses have been in the afternoon slot this season. Oklahoma City will have to turn right around and play an afternoon game again on Sunday in the Paycom Center, playing host to the Sacramento Kings.

While it does not appear to be a big deal, and it is easy to cast aside a three-game sample size, this issue could rear its head in the postseason.

The easiest fix for this problem is getting this Thunder team to play with their hair on fire and with a sense of urgency, which would go a long way in changing their lunchtime fortunes.

Stiles Points

Josh Giddey had one of his worst games against the Dallas Mavericks, though so did the collective team. Despite the Mavericks appearing on paper to be a better matchup for the No. 6 overall pick. Giddey will be looking for a bounce-back game on Sunday, and the Kings might give that to him. Against Sacramento, Giddey is averaging 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game on 58 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent from three. Of opponents that Giddey has faced twice or more, these are some of his best numbers.
Bismack Biyombo inked a remainder-of-the-season deal with the OKC Thunder on Saturday, and he could present an interesting option for the organization. While it is hard to imagine Biyombo playing each night, the value in grabbing the veteran big man is to give Mark Daigneault another tool in the toolbox. This change of pace big man and give matchups a curveball for when the Thunder need better size.
Adam Flagler earned a G League call-up, grabbing the two-way contract spot left open by Lindy Waters III. Flagler has been one of the best creators for the OKC Blue this season on the offensive end, and given the recent Gordon Hayward trade, which cut into the Thunder's guard depth, this is a great insurance policy move for the season's home stretch. If the Thunder have to survive a mini-stretch of the season without their typical guard rotation, Flagler can step in and play well in the system to bridge the gap.
Folks, we have to fix the Dallas highway system. It takes an engineering degree to figure out which direction, lane, or speed you are supposed to be traveling in at any given time.

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