Thunder at Jazz
In his return, Steven Adams helped Russell Westbrook and the rest of OKC beat Utah, 97-95.
SALT LAKE CITY — Just minutes into Monday’s game, Steven Adams caught the ball in a crowd and threw down a one-handed dunk over 7-foot-1 Rudy
Gobert. Welcome back, indeed. The Thunder center was cleared to play against Utah on Monday after missing the Thunder’s previous two games while in the NBA’s concussion protocol.
Adams had a quick six points in the first quarter.
“Any time you lose a good player it impacts your team,” Thunder coach
Billy Donovan said before Oklahoma City’s 97-95 victory. “Having him back is obviously a benefit for our team.”
The Thunder had allowed a league-worst 119.6 points per 100 possessions and 59.0 points in the paint per game without Adams out last week against the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State, both losses.
The Thunder led 56-53 at halftime on Monday.
Report: Westbrooks expecting first child
According to a report from Media Takeout, Thunder star Russell Westbrook and wife, Nina, are expecting their first child.
Westbrook posted an Instagram photo one week ago wishing Nina a happy birthday. In that photo, and others Nina have posted to her Instagram account, Nina poses with what appears to be a baby bump.
Russell and Nina were married in August 2015.
Early efficiency
Westbrook gave Victor
Oladipo a glance. Oladipo immediately knew what to do, cutting baseline on the bigger Joe Ingles as Westbrook hit him with a backdoor pass for a layup.
It was a quick start for Oladipo as well, who led the Thunder with nine points in the first quarter en route to 13 for the first half on 6-of-7 shooting.
Westbrook started efficiently, hitting seven of his first 10 shots, including a couple of demonstrative post jumpers on rookie
Dante Exum.
He didn’t commit a turnover in 10 minutes until committing two back-toback in the second quarter.
Westbrook had 22 points by halftime on 7-of-13 shooting.
Jazz’s Snyder touts Blue’s Bryant
The Missouri coaching pipeline is growing in the NBA. Jazz coach Quin
Snyder, who coached the former Big 12 school from 1999 to 2006, is on the short list for Coach of the Year.
There’s an up-and-coming Missouri product on the Thunder staff as well. Oklahoma City Blue assistant Travon Bryant played four years under Snyder in Columbia from 2000 to 2004.
The 6-9 Bryant, 33, works closely with the Thunder big men during practices, and is on the sideline for Blue games. “I remember talking to
Sam Presti when Sam was thinking about hiring him,” Snyder said.
“I was happy to be able to say the things I could about Travon, his work ethic, his intelligence. He’s always had a really good feel for the game. He’s got a good presence on the sideline.
“I didn’t envision him carrying a clipboard so soon, but he’s working hard. I’m very proud of him.”
Next up
The Thunder heads to New Orleans to face the Pelicans at 7 p.m. Wednesday.