Tag: Danilo Gallinari

Oklahoma City coming up clutch in crunch-time

The Thunder have won eight of their last nine games, none of which have been by more than six points.

It wasn’t too long ago that the conversation surrounding the Thunder was how they couldn’t close out close games.

But somewhere along the line, the narrative has shifted.

Oklahoma City is now one of the best in the league when it comes to tight games in the clutch. Sixteen of their 19 wins have been five-point games within the final five minutes. That’s by far the most in the NBA.

As of January 3, the Thunder are winners of four in a row and eight of their last nine. Of those eight, none have been by more than six points.

Sure, timely play and some luck has something to do with it. But it’s been a subtle mental shift in the way the team looks at defending in late-game situations that been the driving force behind the Thunder’s recent success.

Chris Paul, who himself has been incredibly clutch for OKC this season, told The Oklahoman that it’s something the team talks about.

“We talk about it as a team — really good teams in our league … the last 4 or 5 minutes really lock down, really tighten up,” Chris Paul said after the Thunder did it again Tuesday night in a 106-101 win against Dallas. “We’ve got to figure out how to put a whole game together, but I’m happy with what we’ve been doing.”

The Thunder did just that against San Antonio on Thursday. Down 14 in the first half, Oklahoma City held the Spurs to just 37% shooting in the third quarter, cutting the deficit down to just two.

In the fourth, OKC opened on an 18-9 run, pulling ahead for good on a bucket by Dennis Schroder with 8:19 left to play. The Spurs twice got within four in the closing minutes but timely shots by Paul and made free throws by Schroder allowed the Thunder to escape San Antonio with a win.

“You cannot expect the game to go the way you expect every time,” Danilo Gallinari told The Oklahoman after making a key defensive play against Luke Doncic in the final minute of Tuesday night’s win. “You can’t just be a spectator hoping that the game goes your way. You’ve got to go get it.”

Oklahoma City will look to “go get it” against the Cavaliers when they tip-off tonight in Cleveland. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.

Report: Phoenix Suns interested in Danilo Gallinari

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus reports that the Phoenix Suns prefer the idea of a trade for Danilo Gallinari over one for Kevin Love.

The time is now for teams to decide whether they’re going to be buyers or sellers in the trade market.

Oklahoma City has yet to make that distinction, thanks to the fact that they’re playing above expectations and currently sitting in seventh place in the Western Conference standings.

But Sam Presti might have to make some tough choices soon, because there are teams out there that are potentially interested in what the Thunder might have to offer.

In particular, the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are looking to add to their roster in preparation for a postseason push. It’s not out of the realm of possibility. Phoenix is just behind San Antonio in the standings.

And while Kevin Love has long been talked about as a potential target, according to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the team much prefers the idea of Danilo Gallinari.

“Not many teams will have cap space next summer. The Suns probably would be able to re-sign Gallinari at a much better price,” one Western Conference executive said. “There’s uncertainty, especially if they give up a first-rounder, but the difference in price would make Gallinari the better target.”

As for what the Suns would be willing to give up to get Gallinari, Pincus believes they’d be willing to part with “a first-rounder along with Tyler Johnson”.

Pincus also noted that Phoenix could be interested in acquiring Dennis Schroder as well, but it would a more enticing offer to get that deal done.

Despite making Gallinari, Chris Paul, and Steven Adams available, Oklahoma City has yet to make any moves, however, the Thunder are expected to trade Justin Patton in the coming days.

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 25 as OKC snaps 9-game skid in San Antonio

Five players scored in double-digits for the Thunder who have now won four straight games and eight of their last nine.

For the sixth time this season Chris Paul scored in double-digits in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City edged the Spurs on Thursday night, 109-103.

The win snapped the Thunder’s nine-game losing streak in San Antonio.

OKC got a collective team effort offensively, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 25. Dennis Schroder came off the bench to score 19, while Paul, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari had 16, 14, and 13, respectively.

Oklahoma City trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. But the Thunder held the Spurs to just 37% shooting in the third quarter, then opening the fourth on an 18-9 run to take control of the game.

The Thunder didn’t need Paul to play the hero on Thursday, but the veteran point guard’s presence was still crucial. He hit five of his seven attempts in the fourth quarter to help secure the victory in what he told ESPN after the game was a “tough place to play.”

“This is a tough place to play, tough place to win,” Paul said. “At some point, we could have laid down, but we’re not built like that. Guys kept playing, kept competing.”

Oklahoma City also had a season-low four turnovers, including just one from Paul.

OKC has won four in a row, and with the win, the Thunder extends their lead over San Antonio in the Western Conference standings to four games.

Oklahoma City is currently in control of the seventh seed at 19-15 overall and 14-11 in conference play.

Next up for OKC, a matchup against Cleveland on Saturday. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.

Schroder and Gallinari return to each score 20 in win over Mavericks

Chris Paul hit the go-ahead shot with 40.6 seconds remaining as OKC beat Dallas 106-101. The Thunder finish the month of December 11-4.

It was quite the return for both Dennis Schroder and Danilo Gallinari.

Both players returned from ankle injuries to score 20 apiece in Oklahoma City’s come from behind win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

Schroder had missed Sunday’s game against the Raptors with a sore right ankle while Gallinari had missed four games with a sore left ankle.

While Schroder and Gallo were the driving force for OKC throughout the night, the fourth quarter belonged to Chris Paul.

Paul scored 13 of his 17 points in the final frame, including the go-ahead bucket with 40.9 seconds remaining.

Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each hit a pair of free throws to complete the 106-101 victory.

Three other players were in double-digits for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander had 19, Nerlens Noel chipped in 12, while Steven Adams added 10.

Luca Doncic scored a game-high 35 as part of a double-double. Terrance Ferguson drew the starting defensive assignment but quickly found himself in foul trouble. Oklahoma City also used Paul and Schroder against Doncic, in an attempt to at least slow him down.

Hamidou Diallo also spent some time guarding Doncic. He played 19 minutes and scored four points in his first game back since injuring his right elbow against the Lakers on Nov. 22.

With the win, Oklahoma City improves to 18-15, sitting at three games over .500 for the first time this season, and climbing into the seventh spot in Western Conference standings.

OKC has won seven of their last eight, and finish the month of December 11-4.

The Thunder will start the New Year on the road. They head to San Antonio in the first of a four-game road trip. Oklahoma City and the Spurs square off on Thursday.

Schroder, Gallinari, and Diallo all available against Mavericks

Billy Donovan said all three will play without a minutes restriction against Dallas on Tuesday night.

If Oklahoma City’s New Year resolution was to get healthy, they’re already well on their way.

Per Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Billy Donovan announced Tuesday night that Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari, and Hamidou Diallo will all be available against the Dallas Mavericks.

Schroder and Gallinari have both been dealing with ankle soreness. Schroder missed Sunday’s win over the Raptors after experiencing soreness in his right ankle following Friday’s win over Charlotte.

Gallinari didn’t even make the recent road trip with the Thunder. He has missed the last four games with left ankle soreness that he first felt in pregame prior to Oklahoma City’s win over the Clippers.

The best injury update from Tuesday, however, might be the return of Hamidou Diallo. Diallo missed the last 17 games for the Thunder after suffering a hyperextended right elbow in OKC’s loss to the Lakers back on Nov. 22.

The initial timetable for Diallo was four-to-six weeks.

Donovan said that all three will play without a minutes restriction on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma City will look to close out the 2019 calendar year with a home win over the Mavericks.

The Thunder heads back out on the road to start the New Year, going to San Antonio on January 2.

Danilo Gallinari could miss fifth straight game due to ankle soreness

He has not played since suffering left ankle soreness prior to OKC’s game vs. the Clippers on Dec. 22. His current status is questionable.

Danilo Gallinari could miss his fifth straight game with left ankle soreness.

He is still listed as questionable ahead of Oklahoma City’s final game of the 2019 calendar year against the Dallas Mavericks.

Gallinari did not travel with the team on their recent road trip due to the injury, a move Billy Donovan called “precautionary”.

Gallo initially injured his ankle during pregame prior to the Thunder’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers on December 22. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Darius Bazley and has not played since.

Gallinari has been one of Oklahoma City’s most potent offensive weapons this season, capable of giving the Thunder 20 points on any given night. On the year, he’s averaging 18.0 points per game and hitting 43.2% of his shots from the field.

Gallo has also been a valuable 3-point shooting, making 39.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Dennis Schroder is also listed as questionable with ankle soreness, although Schroder’s injury is to his right ankle.

Hamidou Diallo is the third Thunder player listed as questionable prior to OKC’s matchup against the Mavericks, although Diallo was upgraded from out Tuesday afternoon.

Diallo has been working back from the hyperextension injury to his right elbow he suffered back on November 22.

Oklahoma City tips off against the Mavericks at 7 p.m. CT inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Dennis Schroder out Sunday due to ankle soreness

Schroder will miss his first game of the season Sunday due to right ankle soreness. He is averaging 23.3 points over his last ten games.

Ankle soreness seems to be a common problem in Oklahoma City these days.

Dennis Schroder is the latest member of the Thunder to be sidelined due to the injury.

Following OKC’s 104-102 overtime win in Charlotte on Friday night, the team announced Saturday that Schroder was suffering from right ankle soreness and would not play on Sunday in Toronto.

Schroder scored 24 points in the win over the Hornets, hitting on 10 of his 17 shots from the field, including three 3-pointers.

Over his last ten games, Schroder is averaging 23.2 points per game and shooting 49.7% from the field.

Sunday’s game will be the first that he has missed all season.

Danilo Gallinari has also been struggling with ankle soreness that has kept him out for the last week. Gallinari initially suffered the injury to his left ankle during warmups prior to OKC’s win over the Clippers on Dec. 22.

He did not come with the Thunder on their current road trip, a move Billy Donovan called “precautionary”.

Oklahoma City tips off against the Raptors at 5 p.m. CT.

Thunder’s win streak snapped as Memphis tops OKC 110-97

Oklahoma City shot just 41.3% from the field and 28.6% from three as the Grizzlies dominated the Thunder from start to finish.

There was no comeback against the Grizzlies this time.

Memphis ended the Thunder’s four-game winning streak with a 110-97 win inside Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday night.

After getting off to a slow start, the Thunder cut the halftime deficit to two thanks to an 11-5 run over the last 2:20 of the second quarter. But the third-quarter issues that have plagued Oklahoma City all year long popped up again as the Grizzlies outscored OKC 37-27 in the frame.

Memphis built their lead to as many as 20 in the fourth quarter, going up 96-76 on a Jonas Valanciunas layup with 9:10 left to play.

The Grizzlies shot nearly 55% from the floor, hitting on 46 of their 84 shots from the field. Memphis also hit on 40% of their shots from beyond the arc.

In comparison, Oklahoma City shot just 41.3% from the field and 28.6% from three.

Chris Paul led the way for the Thunder, posting a double-double with a game-high 23 points to go along with 11 assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 while Dennis Schroder added 20.

Oklahoma City missed the presence of Danilo Gallinari in the lineup. Gallo missed Thursday’s game with left ankle soreness. Billy Donovan announced that Gallinari will not be making the trip to Charlotte and Toronto with the team as a “precautionary measure”.

Darius Bazley, who got the start once again in the place of Gallinari, scored three points.

Oklahoma City has a quick turnaround. The Thunder will back the second game of a back-to-back in Charlotte on Friday night.

OKC and the Hornets tip-off at 6 p.m. CT.

Gallinari will not travel with Thunder on upcoming road trip

Billy Donovan announced that Gallinari will miss OKC’s games in Charlotte and Toronto with ankle soreness, calling the move “precautionary”.

Danilo Gallinari’s sore left ankle will cause him to miss more games than originally anticipated.

After being ruled out of the Thunder’s game against Memphis on Thursday, Billy Donovan told reporters later in the afternoon that Gallinari will not be going on Oklahoma City’s upcoming road trip.

“As long as the season is and what we have coming, the most important thing is we want him to get to where he’s feeling better.”

As noted by Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, Donovan described the move as “precautionary”.

Gallinari initially experienced left ankle soreness during pregame on Sunday prior to Oklahoma City’s game against the Clippers. He was listed as questionable but did not play in the Thunder’s 118-112 win.

Darius Bazley got the second start of his career in place of Gallinari. Donovan also addressed the opportunity that Gallo’s injury provides for Bazley.

“He’s gonna have to go through some of this stuff in order to learn, grow. There’s going to be some ups and downs but the biggest thing for me is he’s competing and playing with really good energy and motor.”

Bazley scored seven points and grabbed eight rebounds against the Clippers.

He will also start Thursday against the Grizzlies.

Danilo Gallinari out Thursday against Grizzlies with ankle soreness

The Thunder announced Thursday morning that Gallinari would miss their game against Memphis due to left ankle soreness.

Oklahoma City will be without Danilo Gallinari on Thursday night against the Grizzlies.

Erik Horne of The Athletic tweeted the update on Thursday morning.

Gallinari missed the Thunder’s win over the Clippers on Sunday after experiencing ankle soreness during pregame. He was listed as questionable but did not play.

Darius Bazley made his second-career start in place of Gallinari, scoring seven points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out two assists in 25 minutes of game time.

The Thunder have not announced if Bazley will also start against the Grizzlies.

If Billy Donovan decides not to go with Bazley in the starting five, another option would certainly be Dennis Schroder.

The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week averaged 25.3 points, 5.3 assists, and six rebounds in Oklahoma City’s four wins last week, scoring less than 20 points only once.

The Thunder’s 24-point comeback win over the Grizzlies on December 18 was led by Schroder’s 31 points. In that game, Schroder hit on 10-of-19 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line.