OKC Thunder Blog – Page 30 – NBA Blog

Reggie Jackson, Stephen Curry named NBA Players of Week through Dec. 6, 2015

Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson and the Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 6.

Jackson led the Pistons to a 4-0 week behind averages of 27.0 points (fourth in the conference), 8.8 assists (second in the conference), 3.0 rebounds and 1.75 steals. Jackson shot 56.9 percent from the field, 52.9 percent from three-point range and 89.3 percent from the foul line. He scored 20 or more points in each contest, and eclipsed the 30-point plateau twice. During a 127-122 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 2, Jackson scored 34 points and dished out a season-high 16 assists.

Curry led the Warriors to a 4-0 week, with all wins coming on the road, behind a league-best 34.5 points. Curry, who also averaged 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds, scored 25 or more points in each contest, and twice reached the 40-point plateau. On Dec. 5, Curry connected on 9-of-15 three-point field goals en route to a game-high 44 points as the Warriors topped the Toronto Raptors 112-109.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Al Horford, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Orlando’s Victor Oladipo.

Paul George, Kevin Durant named NBA Players of Week

The Indiana Pacers’ Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant were today named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 29.

George led the Pacers to a 3-0 week behind an Eastern Conference-leading 37.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals. He shot 54.7 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from three-point range and 86.7 percent from the foul line. On Nov. 24, George tallied 40 points on 14-of-19 shooting, including 7-of-8 from beyond the arc, during a 123-106 win over the Washington Wizards.

Durant led the Thunder to a 3-0 week behind averages of 30.3 points (second in the Western Conference), 8.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 blocks (fourth in the Western Conference). He shot 58.5 percent from the field, 52.2 percent from three-point range and 94.4 percent from the foul line. On Nov. 27, Durant recorded 34 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three blocks during a 103-87 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Golden State’s Draymond Green, Houston’s James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, Orlando’s Victor Oladipo, Philadelphia’s Robert Covington, Portland’s Damian Lillard, and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

Unusual early-season schedule for Thunder

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on the OKC Thunder schedule, which has kept things moving, to say the least:

Flight. Game. Flight back home.

That’s how it’s been so far for the Thunder this season — a strange scheduling quirk that hasn’t sent OKC on a multiple-game road trip through the first month.

This week, that finally changes, with the Thunder heading southeast for a Monday night game in Atlanta and a Thursday night game in Miami. OKC, surprisingly, doesn’t have a three-plus game road trip until early January.

Thunder coach Donovan says Kevin Durant injury is not serious

The OKC Thunder are 5-3 this season, but are currently without the services of Kevin Durant, who through eight games is averaging 28.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 3.0 apg. Here’s the Oklahoman reporting the latest:

Thunder coach says Kevin Durant injury is not serious

Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Thursday that Kevin Durant’s injury is “nothing too serious” and that Durant hasn’t been frustrated by his latest injury setback.

On a day when Durant was not made available to the media, Donovan was asked about Durant’s mood since straining his hamstring against the Washington Wizards this week. Durant was third in the league in scoring (28.1 points per game) before the strain, which will keep him sidelined at least 7-10 days.

Kevin Durant out with hamstring injury

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) today that confirmed he has a strained left hamstring that he sustained during the second quarter of last night’s 125-101 victory at Washington, the team announced today. Durant will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days at which time a further update will be provided.

This season, Durant is averaging 28.1 points (fourth in NBA), 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.25 blocks and 34.7 minutes in eight games (all starts).

Thunder waive Michael Cobbins and Mustapha Farrakhan

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Michael Cobbins and guard Mustapha Farrakhan, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

The Oklahoma City Thunder roster now stands at 15.

Thunder exercise contract options on Steven Adams, Andre Roberson, Mitch McGary

The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised its fourth-year options on center Steven Adams and guard Andre Roberson in addition to its third-year option on forward Mitch McGary, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

In two seasons with the Thunder, Adams has appeared in 151 games (87 starts) and averaged 5.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game. This past year, Adams registered 10 double-doubles and scored in double-figures on 22 occasions. Adams was named to the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of All-Star Weekend in each of his first two seasons.

Over two seasons with Oklahoma City, Roberson has seen action in 107 games (81 starts) while compiling averages of 2.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 15.7 minutes per game. With Roberson in the starting line-up, the Thunder has gone 53-28 (.654) during the past two seasons.

During the 2014-15 season, McGary appeared in 32 games (two starts) and posted averages of 6.3 points and 5.2 rebound in 15.2 minutes per game. After registering back-to-back double-doubles in early February, McGary became the first Thunder rookie to accomplish such a feat since Russell Westbrook posted consecutive double-doubles during the 2008-09 season.

Thunder sign Michael Cobbins and Mustapha Farrakhan

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed forward Michael Cobbins and guard Mustapha Farrakhan, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

We will assume the deals are non-guaranteed.

Cobbins (6-8, 230), joins the Thunder after a collegiate career at Oklahoma State where he appeared in 105 games and averaged 5.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game. A two-time member of the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, Cobbins ranked second in the conference in blocks per game (1.83) during his senior season.

Farrakhan (6-4, 175), spent the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons in the NBA D-League, averaging 8.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 18.3 minutes in 70 games with four teams. The University of Virginia product most recently played overseas with Melbourne United in Australia in 2013-14, recording averages of 10.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 20.8 minutes.

The Oklahoma City Thunder roster now stands at 17.

Thunder waive Michael Qualls, Julyan Stone, Dez Wells, Talib Zanna

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guards Michael Qualls, Julyan Stone and Dez Wells along with forward Talib Zanna, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Stone appeared in one preseason game with the Thunder and recorded one rebound while logging four minutes of action.

Wells saw action in one preseason game and tallied one point and one steal in five minutes of play.

Zanna played in four preseason games for Oklahoma City and averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.9 minutes.

Qualls did not make a preseason appearance for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City’s roster now stands at 15.

Kevin Durant looks healthy in preseason

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on Thunder star forward Kevin Durant, who is coming off major injury and fortunately looks like himself again so far:

The first dunk was uncontested, the kind he’s done in practice gyms for weeks. During the third quarter of his first game inside an OKC arena in more than seven months, Kevin Durant jumped a passing lane, sped by a retreating defender and dropped in a dunk with the type of ease that comes when you’re 6-foot-11 with an even longer wingspan.

But the second jam was much more powerful and encouraging.

Two possessions later, Durant shook a defender with a lefty in and out dribble, darted into the paint and, after spotting the rotating big, gathered with both feet, rose and hammered one through, landing, posing and pausing to enjoy the crowd’s roar.

It served as the final two of his 13 points during the Thunder’s 111-81 rout of Fenerbahce Ulker on Friday night and the greatest sign that the star forward is rounding into athletic form this preseason.