On Thursday, in the hours before tip-off of Game 2 of their best-of-seven first round playoff series against James Harden and the Houston Rockets, Thunder head coach Billy Donovan alerted the masses that starting shooting guard Luguentz Dort was cleared to return to the lineup.
Although it wasn’t immediately known whether Dort would take his normal spot in the team’s starting lineup, his availability was a welcomed addition as the team attempts to rebound from a humbling Game 1 loss it suffered at the hands of the Rockets on Tuesday.
Houston will play yet another game without Russell Westbrook, but his return could happen in time for Game 3, which will be contested on Saturday.
Naturally, that increases the urgency with which the Thunder will approach Game 2 — the squad certainly doesn’t want to find itself in an 0-2 hole knowing that Westbrook’s return may be right around the corner.
Lu Dort has been cleared to play today, Billy Donovan said. No word if he'll start.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) August 20, 2020
Thursday’s action will commence at 2:30 p.m. CT, and the Thunder may very well be fighting for their lives.