Thunder journal,
INDIANAPOLIS – Dennis Schroder was working hard.
The Thunder had already squandered a 19-point lead, but Schroder was fighting. He made himself small to get around screens in the fourth quarter. He followed Indiana's pesky guards in every direction.
But in the Thunder's 108-106 loss to Indiana on Thursday, he was hit with a critical Flagrant 1 foul that changed the momentum significantly. As Schroder tried to work back on defense with 3:37 left, his left arm hit former Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis in the face.
With the Thunder leading 101-98, Schroder was initially called for a common foul, even though his arm action didn't appear to be intentional as he was working back to the ball. Sabonis stayed on the ground for a few seconds and officials decided to review the play.
The review determined that Schroder committed a Flagrant 1 foul, and the Pacers were awarded two free throws and the ball. Sabonis, who went 12-of-13 from the line in a dominant performance, hit both shots.
Wesley Matthews missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, but the Pacers outscored the Thunder 8-5 the rest of the way.
Adams openings
Paul George shook off a hit, shook his head, and still readied to attack. Steven Adams stayed ready, too.
With all the attention Russell Westbrook and George have been drawing, Adams has had to stay focused for scoring opportunities. He did as George dribbled and slotted a pass between two Pacers, which Adams caught and finished in the third quarter.
The last three quarters have seen Adams benefit from the penetration of Westbrook and George. Adams had 17 points on Thursday after scoring 12 second-half points against Brooklyn on Wednesday. Morris returns
With 2:10 left in the first quarter, Markieff Morris checked in, the ball circulated around the perimeter after an offensive rebound and ended up back in his hands.
Morris didn't hesitate, immediately going into a baseline fadeway that hit all net. The next possession, Morris didn't hesitate again, flicking a 3-pointer as soon asl George flipped back to him after Morris set a screen and popped to the 3-point line.
Morris missed much of the Thunder's win against Utah and all of OKC's victory against Brooklyn with neck soreness related to the injury that kept him out for nearly two months. But Morris was instant impact for the Thunder on Thursday against the Pacers, scoring five points in his first two possessions.
Morris finished with eight points.
Tech watch
Adams didn't like the personal foul. His dispute resulted in a technical foul from official Scott Foster with 2:58 left in the second quarter.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan was all the way out to midcourt calling for a timeout in order to cool down the situation.
In the fourth quarter at 8:15, Indiana called timeout and Westbrook went straight to Foster to debate the previous play he thought he was fouled on. Schroder quickly stepped in between them to ensure Westbrook didn't get his 16th technical, which would have resulted in a one-game suspension.
Next up
The Thunder faces Golden State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.