Category: OKC Blue

Recap: Short-handed OKC Blue blown out by Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 127-103

Recap: Shorthanded OKC Blue blown out by Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 127-103.

On the second night of a road back-to-back, the G League’s OKC Blue lost to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 127-103. The loss drops the Blue’s record to 4-3.

The Blue trailed the Vipers following the first quarter, 27-22. The deficit ballooned as the Vipers entered halftime with a 63-47 lead. The break didn’t do the Blue any good. A 40-point quarter by the Vipers left the Blue entering the final frame trailing by 29 points.

The short-handed Blue, who only had seven players available, shot 45% from the field and went 15-of-47 (31.9%) from 3. On the other side, the Vipers shot 54% from the field and went 13-of-30 (43.3%) from 3.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Jaden Shackelford: 17 points on 6-of-23 shooting, 5-of-15 from 3
  • Noah Starkey: 20 points on 10-of-10 shooting, nine rebounds
  • Abdul Gaddy: 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, 10 assists
  • Cam Whitmore: 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, six rebounds, three assists
  • Darius Days: 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 4-of-7 from 3, 11 rebounds
  • Jarrett Culver: 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, three assists

The full highlights of the Blue’s 24-point loss to the Houston Rockets’s G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: OKC Blue achieve 113-101 win over Austin Spurs

Recap: OKC Blue achieves 113-101 win over Austin Spurs behind Jaden Shackelford’s 34 points.

The G League’s OKC Blue redeemed their previous loss with a 113-101 win over the Austin Spurs on Friday. The road win improves the Blue’s record to 4-2.

The Blue opened a 24-19 lead following the first quarter, By halftime, that lead increased to 55-40. OKC kept its distance on the scoreboard the rest of the way in its 12-point win.

The Blue shot 45% from the field and went 19-of-49 (38.8%) from 3. Meanwhile, the Spurs were limited to 46% shooting from the field and 13-of-41 (31.7%) from outside.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Jaden Shackelford: 34 points on 10-of-22 shooting, 8-of-19 from 3, six rebounds
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 26 points on 10-of-22 shooting, 4-of-10 from 3, 15 rebounds, five assists
  • Abdul Gaddy: 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, 11 assists
  • Dominick Barlow: 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, five rebounds
  • Erik Stevenson: 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, five assists, five rebounds
  • Sidy Cissoko: 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds
  • Paul Watson: 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 5-of-10 from 3, five rebounds

The full highlights of the Blue’s 12-point win over the San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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G League’s OKC Blue acquires Kong Kong

G League’s OKC Blue acquires Kong Kong.

The G League’s OKC Blue announced on Thursday that they have acquired guard Kong Kong for their roster.

The Blue initially acquired Kong from the G League player pool following their draft last month. He was a training camp roster addition before being part of the final cuts.

After starting his college career at the JUCO level, Kong spent two college seasons at Emporia State and Kentucky State. In three career games, he averaged 5.3 points and two rebounds. He went undrafted in 2023.

Kong will get a chance to play for the Blue this season as they kicked off their 2023-24 campaign earlier this month.

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OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann from G League’s Blue

OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann from G League’s Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday that they have recalled the trio of Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski and Tre Mann from the G League’s OKC Blue.

With the Blue’s next game not happening until Friday, the trio had a chance to practice with the Thunder’s G League affiliate prior to being recalled for OKC’s home game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Dieng was assigned to the Blue on Nov. 13 and played in three games for them during his week stay. In his three G League games, he’s averaged 16 points and 7.7 rebounds. Meanwhile, Pokusevski and Mann were assigned to the Blue on Tuesday morning and were quickly recalled.

Of the three, Dieng’s been the most consistent mainstay in OKC’s rotation when he’s been with the team. In 10 games, he’s averaged 11.3 minutes.

Meanwhile, Pokusevski and Mann have been on the outside looking in. The duo have each appeared in just five games and have averaged less than nine minutes.

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OKC Thunder assign Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann to G League’s OKC Blue

The Thunder assigned both Aleksej Pokuesevski and Tre Mann to the OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday they had assigned Aleksej Pokusevski and Tre Mann to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This gives both players, who’ve received little playing time thus far with the Thunder, a chance to practice with the Blue and perhaps even play for them. Their next game is Friday, Nov. 24.

In five games this season, Pokusevski has averaged 1.2 points and 1.4 rebounds. In five games this season, Mann has averaged 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Both players have been on the outside looking in with OKC’s rotation thus far. With Pokusevski in his fourth season and Mann in his third season, their future with the Thunder likely isn’t for long.

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Recap: OKC Blue lose to Austin Spurs, 118-107

Recap: OKC Blue lose to Austin Spurs, 118-107.

The G League’s OKC Blue lost to the Austin Spurs, 118-107, on Sunday. The loss drops the Blue’s record to 3-2 on the season.

Leading by two points entering the final frame, the Blue allowed 38 fourth-quarter points to the Spurs to drop the road game.

After trailing 55-48 at halftime, a strong 34-point third quarter by the Blue helped get them back into it. Unfortunately, a poor final 12 minutes put their comeback effort in vain.

The Blue shot 41% from the field and went 15-of-46 (32.6%) from 3. Meanwhile, the Spurs shot 47% from the field and went 10-of-33 (30.3%) from 3.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 13 points on 5-of-15 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, five rebounds, four steals
  • Keyontae Johnson: 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting, 1-of-6 from 3, nine rebounds
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3, eight rebounds
  • Miller Kopp: 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, 3-of-5 from 3
  • Dominick Barlow: 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting, 14 rebounds
  • Blake Wesley: 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, five assists, four rebounds
  • Charles Bediako: 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 11 rebounds

Paul Watson: 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, nine rebounds

The full highlights of the Blue’s 11-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: KJ Williams’ buzzer-beater helps OKC Blue beat Memphis Hustle, 129-127

Recap: KJ Williams’s buzzer-beater helps OKC Blue beat Memphis Hustle, 129-127.

On a 30-foot 3-point heave, KJ Williams created magic: a buzzer-beating game-winner in the OKC Blue’s 129-127 win over the Memphis Hustle on Wednesday.

The win improves the Blue to 3-1. This was a second consecutive win against the Hustle for the Blue.

It was a tight, back-and-forth contest in which the Blue entered halftime with a 63-59 lead. The Hustle created distance on the scoreboard, outscoring the Blue, 37-23, in the third quarter. A 43-point fourth quarter helped the Blue overcome a 10-point deficit.

The Blue shot 49% from the field and went 16-of-37 (43.2%) from 3. OKC also went 15-of-16 from the free-throw line. It dished 27 assists on 44 made field goals.

Meanwhile, the Hustle shot 54% from the field and went 14-of-33 (42.4%) from 3. Memphis had 17 steals and forced 23 turnovers.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 4-of-9 from 3, seven rebounds and six rebounds
  • Keyontae Johnson: 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-4 from 3, nine rebounds
  • Hunter Maldonado: 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting, six assists
  • KJ Williams: 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, eight rebounds
  • Jake LaRavia: 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3
  • Jason Preston: 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 10 assists, five rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s two-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate can be watched here:

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Recap: OKC Blue win home opener with 118-104 victory over Memphis Hustle

The OKC Blue collected a home-opening win over the Memphis Hustle, 118-104.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a home-opening victory with a 118-104 win over the Memphis Hustle on Monday. The four-point win improves the Blue’s record to 2-1.

The Blue held a 28-20 lead following the first quarter. OKC grew its lead to 58-41 by halftime. The Blue held firmly throughout the second half in the double-digit win.

The Blue shot 45% from the field and went 20-of-47 (42.6%) from 3. The Hustle went 39% from the field and shot 12-of-36 (33.3%) from 3.

History was made in the Blue’s win. Jaden Shackelford’s 11-of-14 night from 3 was a record for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate. The previous record holder was Markel Brown, who made nine 3-pointers in 2017.

This game also marked the G League season debut of Ousmane Dieng, who was assigned to the Blue earlier in the day. Averaging 11 minutes in his first 10 games, the 20-year-old was given the chance to spread his wings a bit in a more relaxed environment.

Some notable individual performances for both sides include:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, 12 rebounds
  • Jaden Shackelford: 35 points on 11-of-17 shooting, 11-of-14 from 3
  • Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting, four rebounds
  • KJ Williams: 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 14 rebounds
  • Jake LaRavia: 24 points on 5-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds
  • GG Jackson: 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, six rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s 14-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate can be watched here:

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OKC Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue

Ousmane Dieng was assigned to the G League’s OKC Blue on Monday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday they had assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This move comes on the day of the Blue’s home opener at Paycom Center, which means Dieng will likely suit up for their matchup against the Memphis Hustle.

The 20-year-old continues to develop in limited minutes with the Thunder. This G League assignment will likely give him a chance to see extended playing time against inferior competition.

In 10 games, Dieng has averaged 3.6 points and two rebounds in 11.3 minutes this season.

The Thunder return to OKC following a quick two-game road trip that concluded with a win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

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Recap: OKC Blue’s costly mistakes result in 114-110 loss to Texas Legends

Here’s a recap of the OKC Blue’s 114-110 loss to the Texas Legends on Saturday:

The G League’s OKC Blue failed to hit the go-ahead bucket or force overtime in their 114-110 loss to the Texas Legends on Saturday. The loss drops the Blue’s record to 1-1.

Possessing a 110-108 lead with 1:11 left, the Blue committed a pair of critical mistakes. Two fouls resulted in four consecutive free throws for the Legends. The four made free throws resulted in the Legends owning a two-point lead with 14.6 seconds left.

With a chance to either tie or win the game, Jahmi’us Ramsey’s drive was stopped and resulted in a blocked shot attempt. The ball went out of bounds, which gave the Blue another chance, but, alas, an inbounds pass turnover was the dagger in the four-point loss.

The loss results in the Blue splitting their season-opening road back-to-back against the Legends. OKC won the first matchup on Friday.

After trailing 27-16 following the first quarter, a strong second quarter helped the Blue make it a 54-53 halftime deficit. The Legends added to their lead in the third quarter and entered the final frame with a nine-point lead.

The Blue proceeded to go on an 18-2 run in the fourth quarter to retake the lead. The massive run helped give the Blue a 105-101 lead with 2:27 left.

It appeared the Blue were going to escape with an impressive road win. Instead, the Legends finished on a 13-5 run.

The Blue shot 44% from the field and went 14-of-39 (36%) from 3. The Legends shot 38% from the field and went 16-of-52 (31%) from 3.

Ball security was the biggest difference in this game. The Blue committed 21 turnovers, which helped the Legends attempt 10 more shots.

Some notable individual performances for both sides include:

  • Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, 10 rebounds
  • Jahmi’us Ramsey: 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists
  • Hunter Maldonado: 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, six rebounds
  • Miller Kopp: 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3
  • Olivier-Maxence Prosper: 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting, 3-of-10 from 3, nine rebounds, four assists
  • A.J. Lawson: 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, seven rebounds
  • Theo Pinson: 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting, four assists, four rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s four-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks’ G League affiliate can be watched here:

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