Abrines returns to OKC lineup

DENVER – Russell Westbrook swooped in for a steal and passed ahead quickly to Carmelo Anthony, who threaded a crosscourt bounce pass to Alex Abrines.

Yes, that Alex Abrines.

When Abrines went up for a layup off that tender left knee, the 24-yearold came down with a slight limp, but trudged on. A couple of possessions later, he skied for a defensive rebound. He stood his ground on post defense and drew an offensive foul.

Abrines made his preseason debut Tuesday night after missing the first three games of the preseason with a bone bruise on his left knee. The 6-foot6, 210-pounder was the Thunder’s leading 3-point shooter last season at 38.1 percent, but he was limited to mostly non-contact drills since injuring his knee in Spain’s opening game of the FIBA EuroBasket tournament in September.

Abrines said he expected to play anywhere from six to 10 minutes Tuesday, but he was past that mark by the end of the second quarter. He had an immediate impact, scoring on his first shot attempt in the first quarter – a right wing 3-pointer off a Russell Westbrook pass on the break.

Abrines played 14 minutes before halftime, registering five points and a rebound. Most importantly, he was on the court.

“It’s more really him getting back out there, getting his feet wet again, competing and playing,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said.

Abrines’ return cut into the minutes of rookie Terrance Ferguson, who played just four firsthalf minutes after featuring in the Thunder rotation through three preseason games. Ferguson and Abrines were the first substitutions at the 6-minute mark.

Awesome Adams

Amid the arrival of Anthony and Paul George, Steven Adams had quietly looked healthy and disruptive this preseason.

Adams had three blocks and six rebounds in the first half on Tuesday in a tough matchup with Nuggets centerpiece Nikola Jokic.

The Thunder has been a plus-8 when Adams was on the floor entering Tuesday’s game.

“I feel like the first three preseason games defensively, Steven has been at a really good level for us,” Donovan said. “I’ve been really pleased with the way he’s defended.

Thunder 3-ball

The Thunder stretched its offense to the 3-point line Tuesday.

A 6-of-15 start from 3-point range helped the Thunder to a 49-39 lead at halftime. Josh Huestis and Westbrook each had two 3-pointers.

Tip ins

Westbrook’s new odds to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award are 6-to-1, per bovada.lv. Westbrook is second behind favorite LeBron James (4/1).

Other Thunder notables are George (30/1) and Anthony

(100/1). … Donovan is tied with Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich at 8/1 to win Coach of the Year, behind only Boston’s Brad Stevens (4/1), Houston’s Mike D’Antoni

(6/1) and Golden State’s Steven Kerr (7/1 ).… Patrick Patterson was the only projected rotation player who didn’t play in preseason, as he’s still working his way back from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Patterson and Raymond Felton (left wrist sprain) didn’t play Tuesday, the Thunder’s final preseason game.

Next up

The Thunder is off Wednesday, then has a week of practice before the season opener at Chesapeake Energy Arena Oct. 19 against the New York Knicks.