Tag: Deonte Burton

Deonte Burton suspended for 1 game for conduct detrimental to the team

The Thunder announced on Friday that they have suspended second-year guard Deonte Burton for conduct detrimental to the team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have suspended second-year guard Deonte Burton for one game for conduct detrimental to the team, the organization announced on Friday.

Burton will serve his suspension Friday night against the Timberwolves.

Though the team did not specify a specific reason for his suspension, Royce Young of ESPN reported that Burton was involved in a locker room altercation on Wednesday night after playing the Indiana Pacers.

After joining the Thunder prior to the 2018-19 season, Burton has played sparingly so far this year. In 12 games, Burton is averaging 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds while he is shooting 39.4% from the field.

Burton has given the team a versatile defender off of the bench at times this season. He was even tasked with guarding LeBron James last month and held the former three-time MVP to 1-of-5 shooting as his primary defender.

Burton can return to play on Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Deonte Burton excelled in defensive matchup against LeBron

LeBron shot only 1-for-5 from the floor while being guarded by Deonte Burton during the fourth quarter of the Lakers 112-107 win on Tuesday.

LeBron James posted a triple-double in the Lakers 112-107 win over the Thunder inside the Staples Center on Tuesday night.

He scored 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He probably would’ve scored more if it weren’t for the defensive play of Deonte Burton.

Burton, who was recalled from the OKC Blue on Sunday specifically for Oklahoma City’s West Coast road trip, drew the task of guarding James during the fourth quarter.

The Oklahoman broke down James’ shot sequence after Burton entered the game with 9:41 remaining.

He immediately forced James into a 17-foot fadeaway that caromed off the backboard and barely grazed the rim. A minute later he bullied through a screen and, along with Nerlens Noel, trapped James into a turnover. James sized up Burton eight seconds later, but Burton stayed disciplined in his stance as James missed a 16-footer. Then came another James missed fadeaway jumper from 12 feet with Burton closely contesting him. James was 1-of-5 with a turnover in the fourth quarter with Burton on the floor.

As noted by Joe Mussatto, although Terrance Ferguson was initially assigned to guard LeBron, Burton’s “240-pound frame is a more even match for James.”

It’s unlikely that Burton is going to step in to completely fill the defensive void left by Paul George. But he will get the opportunity to see if he can be a consistent big body to go up against strong, physical wings when the Lakers come to town on Friday night.

Thunder recall Deonte Burton from OKC Blue

A day after reassigning Burton to their G League affiliate, Oklahoma City has recalled Deonte Burton from the OKC Blue.

More movement between the Oklahoma City Thunder and their G League affiliate, the OKC Blue on Sunday.

Deonte Burton, who was assigned to the OKC Blue Saturday, was recalled by the Thunder on Sunday afternoon.

Burton made his first appearance for the Blue Saturday night against the Winchester Knicks. In the starting rotation, Burton played 28 minutes, helping OKC to a 130-114 win.

He scored 16 points, hitting on six of his 15 attempts from the field, including a 2-for-5 mark from the three-point line. Burton also pulled down six rebounds to go along with three assists.

Burton has appeared in five games during the regular season for the Thunder.

He’s averaging 3.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game. In those games, Burton is shooting 50% from the field.

The Thunder went to the West Coast Sunday ahead of their two-game road trip in Los Angeles. Oklahoma City will face off against their former teammate Paul George and the Clippers Monday night before taking on the Lakers Tuesday.

Sluggish start dooms Thunder against Indiana as OKC falls 111-85

Oklahoma City missed their first five shots from the field and hit on only 6-of-25 three-point attempts Tuesday night.

It was a cold night in Indianapolis, both outside and inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Oklahoma City dropped their second consecutive game Tuesday, a 111-85 loss to the Pacers.

The Thunder struggled from the get-go, missing their first five shot attempts from the field. It didn’t get much better from there.

OKC shot just 35.8% from the floor and struggled mightily from the three-point line. At the half, the Thunder were just 1-for-10 from the beyond the arc. They finished the night just 6-of-25.

Indiana had a lopsided advantage in points in the paint, where the Pacers outscored the Thunder 54-36.

At one point, the Pacers were up by as many as 31. Conversely, the Thunder’s largest lead was 2.

Oklahoma City was short-handed Tuesday. Terrance Ferguson did not make the trip to Indianapolis for personal reasons, per a tweet from The Oklahoman’s Maddie Lee.

Four Thunder players were in double-digits, led by Danilo Gallinari with 14.

Deonte Burton scored 13 off the bench. He shot 5-of-12 from the field and 50% from three in 18 minutes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Steven Adams scored 11 and 10, respectively.

Adams returned to the starting lineup Tuesday, making five of his eight attempts and pulling down five boards.

Former Oklahoma City big man, Domantas Sabonis had a solid night against his old team, putting up a double-double. In 29 minutes he scored 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to go along with two assists and a block.

The Thunder fall to 4-7 on the season. Oklahoma City returns to action Friday when they host the 76ers.