Oklahoma City drops close contest to Pacers 107-100

The Thunder were led by Steven Adams with 20 points but OKC failed to win three consecutive games for the first time this season.

It was a much closer game than the one that the two teams played in November, but the result between the Pacers and Oklahoma City was ultimately the same.

The Thunder dropped their home contest to Indianapolis 107-100 inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday night, failing in their bid for the team’s first three-game winning streak this season.

As has been the case for many of their games this season, the Thunder were close to a win but couldn’t pull it out at the end.

A three-point OKC lead after the first quarter lead was a 50-49 advantage at the half.

For the second straight game, Oklahoma City played a solid third quarter, although they were outscored 30-28 as the Pacers took a 79-78 lead into the fourth.

The Thunder were within a point five different times in the final frame, but each time Indianapolis answered with a bucket.

Steven Adams led the way for Oklahoma City with 20 points while grabbing nine rebounds.

Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schröder both scored 18 while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 16.

Gallo hit a career-high four 3-pointers in the third quarter alone.

With the loss, the Thunder drop to 8-12 on the season.

Oklahoma City is back in action on Friday when they host the Timberwolves at 7 p.m. CT.

Report: Colts’ Adam Vinatieri in doubt vs. Bucs

Adam Vinatieri unlikely to play in Week 14.

Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri is dealing with a knee injury that could keep him out of the Week 14 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Popping up with a knee injury on the Colts injury report on Wednesday, Vinatieri is reportedly in doubt for the road game after getting an MRI on the knee, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

 

Given the potential for Vinatieri to miss Sunday’s game, the Colts claimed 23-year-old kicker Chase McLaughlin off of waivers from the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday.

Vinatieri has had a rough go of it in what is likely his last season playing football. He’s missed a career-high 14 kicks in just 12 games. Should he miss, it would be just the fourth time in his career he failed to play 16 games.

The Colts are dealing with several injuries everywhere, and it is likely to hit the kicker position on Sunday.

Jalen Hurts named Big 12 newcomer of the year

Expect anything different? Jalen Hurts earned the Big 12 newcomer of the year award after winning three Big 12 newcomer of the week awards.

Expect anything different?

Jalen Hurts earned the Big 12 newcomer of the year award after winning three Big 12 newcomer of the week awards.

Hurts joins former Sooner quarterback, Josh Heupel (1999) as the school’s second quarterback honoree and fourth total.

Leading the Big 12 in completion percentage, passing efficiency and passing touchdowns, Hurts is also second in the conference in rushing yards, trailing only fellow Heisman Trophy candidate, Chuba Hubbard of Oklahoma State.

Through the regular season, Hurts has completed 205 passes for 3,347 yards including 31 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Hurts averages 11.7 yards per pass and 278.9 yards per game.

On the ground, Hurts has gained 1,217 yards, toting the rock 196 times with 18 rushes hitting paydirt. Hurts averages 6.2 yards per carry and 101.4 yards per game.

With 12 games behind him, Hurts is responsible for 50 touchdowns (31 passing, 18 rushing, 1 receiving) ranking him first in the FBS in total touchdowns. Hurts leads Heisman Trophy favorite, Joe Burrow and Heisman Trophy candidate Justin Fields by three touchdowns.

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LeBron James got away with mind-boggling travel and NBA fans went nuts

LeBron James can apparently do as he pleases.

You ever find yourself doing something at work and when you suddenly realize your mind has wandered and you forget what you were actually supposed to be doing while on the job?

Well, that apparently happened to LeBron James during Wednesday night’s Lakers-Jazz game in Utah.

One of the greatest players to ever play the game was casually dribbling the ball up the court when he seemed to forget for a few steps that he had to keep dribbling. He then remembered that and started dribbling again and no call was made.

Seriously, how did the refs miss this from King James:

Nothing? Really!?

NBA fans couldn’t believe it:

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NBA rules require a protest to be filed …

NBA rules require a protest to be filed within 48 hours after a game. Sources said the NBA office has started conducting an investigation that could take longer than the 48-hour window. The Rockets contend that they should either be awarded the win — because they actually outscored the Spurs in regulation — or that the final seven minutes, 50 seconds of the game be replayed at a later date. League sources, however, scoffed at the suggestion that the Rockets would be awarded the victory.

A delayed start has forced Suns rookie Ty Jerome to learn on the fly

Suns rookie Ty Jerome played just his second game of the season on Wednesday after missing significant time due to an ankle injury.

ORLANDO, Fla. — As Phoenix Suns rookie Ty Jerome was forced to sit for the first month of the season, the first-round pick would often learn by watching the game from the sidelines.

But there is no substitution for actual, game experience.

Jerome suffered a sprained right ankle during practice just two days before the start of the regular season, forcing him to miss the first 18 games for the Suns. He eventually was ready to return to the court to play in a pair of rehab games in the G League before re-joining the Suns.

“It was definitely frustrating,” Jerome told Rookie Wire. “Two days before our first game with that happening it was really just unfortunate and frustrating but I had to focus on the rehab.”

On Monday, Jerome finally made his NBA debut.

In 12 minutes off of the bench, Jerome recorded four points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. He was active on defense and helped assist his teammates with some flashy passes.

“It felt great, something I waited on for a while, obviously,” Jerome said. “Just working hard in the rehab process and try to study the game while I was out so I didn’t miss too much.”

Jerome got his second crack at playing on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

The rookie was among the first players off of the bench for head coach Monty Williams as he tries to get Jerome up to speed quickly. Jerome tallied five points, seven rebounds and one assist but struggled in other areas during the 128-114 loss.

Jerome piled up five turnovers in the contest and had a number of passes fall short of its intended target, causing several deflections for the Magic throughout the game. Orlando scored 18 points off of forced turnovers in the contest.

Williams took responsibility for getting his rookie up to speed.

Tonight, he had [five turnovers]. He’s gotta see the floor better and he’s gotta understand the athlete that he is playing against. They got hands on balls tonight with his passes but I have to develop him. I gotta show him on film, show him where the open guy is or where the shot is. It’s on me to develop him.

After missing so much time, the transition for Jerome to the NBA will likely have some bumps along the way. Jerome is still adjusting to his teammates and making the right reads on certain plays.

As is the case for every rookie, Jerome will have some learning curves to deal with this season but unlike most of his peers, his will come much later after missing extended time.

Next up for the Suns: A road matchup Thursday vs. the Pelicans.

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