The Oklahoma City Thunder were without Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams on Sunday morning.
By Sunday afternoon, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was also ruled out with a left hip contusion.
During the third quarter, Josh Giddey was also shelved with a right ankle sprain.
Despite the season being just three games young, the Thunder can’t seem to escape the injury bug that’s devastated them in the last couple of years.
As a result, the shorthanded Thunder was not able to avenge their season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 116-106 defeat.
A once-packed Thunder home crowd slowly lost its energy as the night got darker and by the end of the game, the crowd’s color became grayer with empty seats.
The Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards — who surpassed the 11 points he scored last time against the Thunder in the first quarter and finished with 30 points total.
After being showered with boos before the game, Rudy Gobert was able to add 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Timberwolves win. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Let’s take a look at player grades for the Thunder in their third consecutive loss to open the 2022-23 regular season.
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
As the lone scoring option, Lu Dort was able to finish with 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting.
This was a much more efficient night on the second night of a back-to-back. Against the Denver Nuggets in a loss, Dort shot 3-of-13 for 13 points.
After the game, Dort complimented Gobert and Towns and the duo’s screening abilities as explanations for Anthony Edwards scoring 30 points this game.
“When he has those guys to screen, it’s hard to get back to the ball,” said Dort.
Lu Dort: Certified Bucket ✅
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Oct 23, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Eugene Omoruyi (97) goes to the basket around Minnesota Timberwolves forward Wendell Moore Jr. (7) during the second half at Paycom Center. Minnesota won 116-106. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Giddey was only able to play in 22 minutes before an ankle sprain concluded his night, but he finished with 10 points and five assists.
Giddey went 5-of-11 from the field and was aggressive all game…
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