Top Performers: Lindy Waters Splashes Six Threes, Scores Team-High 23 in Loss to Suns

Just 24 hours after earning a convincing victory at home over the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder found themselves playing the second game of a back-to-back in another city: Phoenix.

Unfortunately, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out, managing an injury to his abdominal strain, the Thunder struggled to score – and defend – mightily, finding just 101 points to the Suns’ 132, ending their three-game win streak.

Playing without their most talented player, the Thunder were able to keep things interesting in the second half despite allowing the Suns to build a 13-point lead in the first frame. But the Thunder were able to find momentum in the second frame, knocking down 6-of-12 triples, forcing six turnovers and out-scoring the Suns 31-26, cutting the lead to just eight points at the break.

The second half was a much different story, however.

After halftime, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton came out focused, scoring the Suns’ first 11 points, before two 3-pointers from Chris Paul pushed their lead all the way up to 19 points, 85-66. Terrence Ross would also catch fire late to drop 13 points, helping Phoenix enjoy a 24-point advantage heading into the fourth.

It was all downhill from there as Mark Daigneault waved the white flag and all but emptied his bench to kick off the final frame.

Here are your top performers in Wednesday night’s loss:

Lindy Waters III

Lindy Waters, a former Oklahoma State Cowboy, must have mistaken 7:00 p.m. for high-noon because he had his fingers on his holster Wednesday night. The newest member of the active roster was sizzling in the first half, dropping in six of his eight 3-point attempts en route to a team-high 23 points on the night. He also added two rebounds and two assists in his 30 minutes of action.

Five of his six triples came in the second quarter alone and were vital to keeping the Suns, and Booker, from running away from the game early. And at the very end of the first half, Waters was able to draw a foul – Booker’s third – on a corner 3-point attempt.

Josh Giddey

Although he didn’t shoot the ball well, Josh Giddey was still able to impact the game with his rebounding, vision, and aggressiveness, all things considered.

The 6-foot-8 guard knocked down just three of his 12 attempts to reach 10 points, hitting his lone 3-point attempt, but doled out seven assists, grabbed five boards, and stole the ball twice before being yanked by Daigneault after 23 minutes.

Ousmane Dieng

On a night where not much went right for the Thunder, Dieng’s size, length and rebounding were helpful against Phoenix’s smaller perimeter group. He even provided a little bit of rim protection here and there.

In 28 minutes, the rookie forward posted the only positive box plus-minus on the team. The french project finished with 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting, hitting two of his six 3-point attempts, snagging seven defensive rebounds, and even handed out a pair of assists.

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