Tag: Ousmane Dieng

Recap: Ousmane Dieng scores 25 points in OKC Blue’s 114-103 loss to Maine Celtics

Recap: Ousmane Dieng scores 25 points in OKC Blue’s 114-103 loss to Maine Celtics.

The G League’s OKC Blue suffered a 114-103 loss to the Maine Celtics on Friday. The home loss drops their record to 0-2 since the second half of the season kicked off.

This was the second consecutive loss to the Celtics for the Blue, who also lost to them on Wednesday.

The Blue had a good start, leading by three points following the first quarter. But the Celtics used a 33-19 second quarter to flip the score, and the Blue entered halftime with a 61-50 deficit.

A 30-point third quarter by the Blue cut the deficit to six points entering the final frame. OKC proceeded to get to as close as four points before the Celtics pulled away.

The Blue shot 41% from the field and went 10-of-30 (27.8%) from 3. It was a poor offensive outing. OKC also turned it over 18 times.

Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 45% from the field despite going 12-of-45 (26.7%) from 3. Maine also struggled with ball security with 19 turnovers but 11 steals helped overcome that.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

Ousmane Dieng: 25 points on 11-of-19 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, five rebounds, three steals

Keyontae Johnson: 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, six rebounds

Jahmi’us Ramsey: 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 from 3, five assists, five rebounds

KJ Williams: 15 points on 6-of-22 shooting, 1-of-9 from 3, 15 rebounds

Jordan Walsh: 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 2-of-8 from 3, 10 rebounds

Drew Peterson: 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 4-of-8 from 3, six rebounds

J.D. Davison: 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting, 2-of-6 from 3, 10 assists, five steals

DJ Steward: 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, 12 rebounds, five assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s 11-point loss to the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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OKC Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s Blue

OKC Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Wednesday they had assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue.

Dieng’s G League assignments have been a regular occurrence through two seasons. The 20-year-old hasn’t established himself in the Thunder’s rotation, so playing with the Blue gives him a heavy dose of playing time.

The Blue and Thunder are scheduled to play at Paycom Center on Wednesday, which means this could be a one-game assignment for Dieng.

In nine games with the Blue, Dieng is averaging 17.2 points on 45.3% shooting, 7.8 rebounds and three assists.

In 18 games with the Thunder, Dieng is averaging 4.3 points on 45.8% shooting and 1.6 rebounds.

The 20-year-old was drafted with the 11th pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

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Player grades: Thunder silence Jazz with dominating 134-120 win

Player grades for the Thunder’s 134-120 win over the Jazz:

OKLAHOMA CITY — Being heavy favorites, the Oklahoma City Thunder took care of business in their dominating 134-120 win over the short-handed Utah Jazz.

OKC led wire-to-wire against a struggling Utah squad that missed several key players and had lost 8 of its last 11 games entering Monday. The final margin might’ve been just 14 points, but sans a sloppy fourth quarter, the Thunder were thoroughly the better team.

“I thought we stacked a lot of good possessions,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said on the win. “I thought we played together on both ends of the floor tonight and that’s encouraging. I thought we got better tonight.”

After spending previous years being viewed as an easy win on the calendar for other teams, the roles have reversed for OKC against rebuilding Utah — who were without arguably its three best players in Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler.

The Thunder created a 34-20 lead following the first quarter. The 14-point lead remained as OKC entered halftime. In the third quarter, OKC put this game to bed with a 45-point period that grew its lead to a game-high 38 points.

The Thunder entered the fourth quarter with a 36-point lead to turn the final period into garbage time. Utah managed to cut it to 12 points in the final frame with a 45-point fourth quarter, but it proved to be inconsequential.

The Thunder feasted on offense as they shot 52% from the field and went 18-of-38 (47.4%) from 3. OKC also shot 16-of-17 (94.1%) from the free-throw line and dished out 35 assists on 50-made baskets.

“A lot of the layups were cuts,” Daigneault said on their offense. “I thought the guys did a really good job at taking cuts tonight both in the action and off-ball.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points in 17 shots as OKC finished with six players scoring double-digit points. All 15 Thunder players received extended playing time.

This blowout win also marked some of the best performances of the season for both Josh Giddey and Ousmane Dieng. Giddey finished with a near triple-double while Dieng scored a season-high 18 points.

“I think it validates the time he spent in the G League,” Daigneault said on Dieng. “He played four games in a very short period of time… He’s a better player. He came back obviously very sharp from that experience.”

Meanwhile, Utah’s offense failed to generate any rhythm during the meaningful portion of this contest. The Jazz shot 49% from the field and went 12-of-38 (31.6%) from 3. In the first three quarters, those numbers were 40% from the field and 21% from 3.

Jordan Clarkson — their best available scorer — was held to eight points on 3-of-13 shooting. Rookie guard Keyonte George led the way for Utah with a career-high 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting.

Collin Sexton scored 20 points off the bench. Simone Fontecchio also contributed with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Both franchises are going in completely different directions as OKC enters the infancy stages of a contending window while Utah begins a rebuild. Despite this, the Thunder didn’t play around with their food.

“We don’t play the record,” Gilgeous-Alexander said on not overlooking the Jazz. “There’s 29 (other) teams in this NBA that are really good and can beat anybody on any night and that’s how we approach it.”

Let’s look at Thunder player grades.

OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng from G League’s OKC Blue

OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng from G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Friday that they have recalled second-year forward Ousmane Dieng from the G League’s OKC Blue.

The 20-year-old was originally assigned to the Blue on Nov. 30 and played in all four home games for them this week. The Thunder took advantage of the homestand to give Dieng some in-game reps after being out of the rotation for most of the season thus far.

Before the Blue’s loss against the Osceola Magic on Friday, Dieng averaged 17.8 points on 44.1% shooting and 7.3 rebounds in six G League games.

Dieng is averaging three points and 1.8 rebounds this season. He was drafted with the No. 11 pick of the 2022 NBA draft.

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Recap: Thunder starters help OKC Blue collect 128-113 win over Birmingham Squadron

Recap: Thunder starters help OKC Blue collect 128-113 win over Birmingham Squadron.

The G League’s OKC Blue featured a heavy-hitting lineup in its 128-113 win over the Birmingham Squadron on Tuesday. The home win improves the Blue’s record to 6-4.

All five Blue starters were players from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster. As the Thunder prepare to travel to play the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Dec. 6, Mark Daigneault confirmed they’ll be called back up for that game.

Before that though, the Thunder players enjoyed an easy win against the Squadron for the second consecutive time.

The Blue held a 33-19 lead following the first quarter. By halftime, the OKC lead was 63-40. The Squadron’s 40-point third quarter helped cut the deficit, but they still trailed by 12 points entering the final frame.

The Blue shot 56% from the field and were a hot 15-of-36 (41.7%) from 3. OKC dished 27 assists on its 49 buckets.

The Squadron were limited to 42% shooting from the field and went 17-of-43 (39.5%) from 3.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Tre Mann: 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting, 3-of-7 from 3, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals
  • Ousmane Dieng: 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, two assists
  • Lindy Waters III: 26 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 6-of-12 from 3, three rebounds, three assists, five steals
  • Keyontae Johnson: 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, 2-of-3 from 3, four rebounds, two assists
  • Olivier Sarr: 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks
  • Hunter Maldonado: 16 points on 5-of-5 shooting, 11 assists
  • Jalen Crutcher: 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, nine assists, three rebounds
  • Malcolm Hill: 30 points on 9-of-21 shooting, 5-of-11 from 3, 12 rebounds, four assists, four steals

The full highlights from the Blue’s 15-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Recap: Ousmane Dieng leads OKC Blue to 114-109 win over Birmingham Squadron

Recap: Ousmane Dieng leads OKC Blue to 114-109 win over Birmingham Squadron.

The G League’s OKC Blue completed a 22-point comeback for a 114-109 win over the Birmingham Squadron on Sunday. The home win improves the Blue to 5-4.

The short-handed Squadron led 37-26 after the first quarter and 60-44 at halftime.

It looked like the Blue were going to lose when they entered the final frame trailing by 12 points. Instead, the Blue came back on the strength of a 36-19 fourth-quarter scoring advantage.

The Blue shot 50% from the field but went just 7-of-32 (21.9%) from 3. OKC went 15-of-20 from the free-throw line and dished 26 assists on its 42 made field goals.

Meanwhile, the Squadron, who only had eight players available, shot 42% from the field and went 15-of-45 (33.3%) from 3. They went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line.

The Blue welcomed back Ousmane Dieng after he was assigned to the G League on Nov. 30. The second-year forward headlined this win.

Some notable individual performances for both sides:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3, 11 rebounds, three assists
  • Hunter Maldonado: 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, seven assists
  • Keyontae Johnson: 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, five rebounds
  • KJ Williams: 19 points on 9-of-22 shooting, 1-of-9 from 3, 13 rebounds, three blocks
  • Jalen Crutcher: 31 points on 11-of-26 shooting, 6-of-15 from 3, four assists, four rebounds
  • Malcolm Hill: 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting, 4-of-9 from 3, nine rebounds, six assists

The full highlights from the Blue’s five-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate can be watched below:

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Ousmane Dieng assigned to G League’s OKC Blue

Ousmane Dieng assigned to G League’s OKC Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Thursday that they have assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This has been a regular occurrence so far this season. It gives Dieng — who’s averaged 10 minutes in 12 games — a chance to get extended in-game and/or practice reps with the Blue.

In three games with the Blue, Dieng has averaged 16 points on 37.5% shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. The Blue are next scheduled to play on Sunday, Dec. 3 at home against the Birmingham Squadron.

The 20-year-old is averaging three points and 1.8 rebounds this season. He was drafted with the No. 11 pick of the 2022 NBA draft.

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OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann from G League’s Blue

OKC Thunder recall Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski, Tre Mann from G League’s Blue.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Tuesday that they have recalled the trio of Ousmane Dieng, Aleksej Pokusevski and Tre Mann from the G League’s OKC Blue.

With the Blue’s next game not happening until Friday, the trio had a chance to practice with the Thunder’s G League affiliate prior to being recalled for OKC’s home game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

Dieng was assigned to the Blue on Nov. 13 and played in three games for them during his week stay. In his three G League games, he’s averaged 16 points and 7.7 rebounds. Meanwhile, Pokusevski and Mann were assigned to the Blue on Tuesday morning and were quickly recalled.

Of the three, Dieng’s been the most consistent mainstay in OKC’s rotation when he’s been with the team. In 10 games, he’s averaged 11.3 minutes.

Meanwhile, Pokusevski and Mann have been on the outside looking in. The duo have each appeared in just five games and have averaged less than nine minutes.

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Recap: OKC Blue win home opener with 118-104 victory over Memphis Hustle

The OKC Blue collected a home-opening win over the Memphis Hustle, 118-104.

The G League’s OKC Blue collected a home-opening victory with a 118-104 win over the Memphis Hustle on Monday. The four-point win improves the Blue’s record to 2-1.

The Blue held a 28-20 lead following the first quarter. OKC grew its lead to 58-41 by halftime. The Blue held firmly throughout the second half in the double-digit win.

The Blue shot 45% from the field and went 20-of-47 (42.6%) from 3. The Hustle went 39% from the field and shot 12-of-36 (33.3%) from 3.

History was made in the Blue’s win. Jaden Shackelford’s 11-of-14 night from 3 was a record for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s G League affiliate. The previous record holder was Markel Brown, who made nine 3-pointers in 2017.

This game also marked the G League season debut of Ousmane Dieng, who was assigned to the Blue earlier in the day. Averaging 11 minutes in his first 10 games, the 20-year-old was given the chance to spread his wings a bit in a more relaxed environment.

Some notable individual performances for both sides include:

  • Ousmane Dieng: 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting, 1-of-7 from 3, 12 rebounds
  • Jaden Shackelford: 35 points on 11-of-17 shooting, 11-of-14 from 3
  • Keyontae Johnson: 14 points on 4-of-11 shooting, four rebounds
  • KJ Williams: 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 14 rebounds
  • Jake LaRavia: 24 points on 5-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds
  • GG Jackson: 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting, 3-of-8 from 3, six rebounds

The full highlights from the Blue’s 14-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate can be watched here:

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OKC Thunder assign Ousmane Dieng to G League’s OKC Blue

Ousmane Dieng was assigned to the G League’s OKC Blue on Monday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday they had assigned second-year forward Ousmane Dieng to the G League’s OKC Blue.

This move comes on the day of the Blue’s home opener at Paycom Center, which means Dieng will likely suit up for their matchup against the Memphis Hustle.

The 20-year-old continues to develop in limited minutes with the Thunder. This G League assignment will likely give him a chance to see extended playing time against inferior competition.

In 10 games, Dieng has averaged 3.6 points and two rebounds in 11.3 minutes this season.

The Thunder return to OKC following a quick two-game road trip that concluded with a win over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

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