For the second consecutive game, the Oklahoma City Thunder has come back from more than a 20-point deficit to pull out a win.
On Wednesday night, OKC was down 89-65 in the third quarter before coming away with a 126-122 win.
Here are three takeaways:
Oklahoma City made history
With their 24-point comeback coming just two days after the Thunder tied the team record for largest comeback (down 26 to the Bulls on Monday), Oklahoma City is the first team in the last 20 years to overcome a 24-point deficit in back-to-back, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Per @EliasSports, the @OKCThunder are the 1st team in the last 20 seasons to overcome a 24-point deficit in back-to-back games.
They are the 2nd team in the last 20 seasons to overcome a 20-point deficit in back-to-back games, joining the Pacers on Jan. 11 and Jan. 13, 2010. pic.twitter.com/kioU3T8Gmi
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 19, 2019
They’re also just the second team in the last 20 seasons to overcome a 20-point deficit in back-to-back games, joining the Pacers who accomplished it on January 11 and January 13, 2010.
Third-quarter continues to be an issue for OKC
In all honesty, as amazing as another 20-plus point comeback is, the Thunder would’ve never found themselves in that situation if they didn’t struggle once again coming out of the halftime.
Oklahoma City trailed 68-59 at the break and didn’t score for three solid minutes, allowing the Grizzlies to open on a 12-0 run.
As noted by Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman, OKC is the worst third-quarter team in the league, and are being outscored by their opponents by an averaged of 3.7 points in the quarter.
Schroder shines as sixth-man
There was a lot of speculation about how Billy Donovan’s extremely guard-heavy lineup with work this season. And clearly, it works best with Dennis Schroder coming off the bench.
What. A. Game.
Dennis 🔋⚡️ ties season-high with 31 points. pic.twitter.com/tWxY0XsW9I
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 19, 2019
Schroder scored a game-high 31 against Memphis, hitting on 10-of-19 from the field and dishing out seven assists. He played 32 minutes, that’s more than anyone in the starting five with the exception of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who logged 39.
Schroder is good enough to start in the NBA. He’s good enough to start in Oklahoma City. But the lift he provides off the bench in undeniable and it’s clear he’s comfortable in his role providing a much-needed spark off the bench.