The Thunder will be without one of their leading scorers on Monday night when they take on Utah.
Billy Donovan announced Monday evening that Danilo Gallinari would miss OKC’s game against the Jazz with a sprained ankle.
The team did not provide additional details about how Gallinari suffered the injury.
As tweeted out by Erik Horne of The Athletic, Donovan told reporters prior to tip-off that whoever plays in Gallo’s place, likely won’t be ‘as efficient and effective’ as he is.
“We’ve got to create ball, player movement, generate good shots. I don’t care who else is out there, they’re probably not going to be as efficiently effective as Gallo is. That’s what he is and that’s what he does exceptionally well.”
Donovan on scoring without Gallinari: “We’ve got to create ball, player movement, generate good shots. I don’t care who else is out there, they’re probably not going to be as efficiently effective as Gallo is. That’s what he is and that’s what he does exceptionally well.”
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) December 10, 2019
Gallinari is averaging 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per game this year. He’s shooting 44.6% from the floor and 40.3% from beyond the arc.
Oklahoma City will also be without Terrance Ferguson, who missed Sunday’s win over the Trail Blazers due to hip soreness.
Darius Bazley will start the start against the Jazz in place of Gallinari, it’ll be the first start of his NBA career.
Thunder will start Darius Bazley in place of the injured Danilo Gallinari Paul, SGA, Nader, Adams the other starters.
— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) December 10, 2019
In 22 games, Bazley is averaging 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds, attempting just 3.8 shots per contest.