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played 37 minutes in the Thunder's season opener, but either Chris Paul or
Dennis Schroder was permanently on the floor with him. The three point guards shared the court together for four minutes late in the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander is OKC's point guard of the future, but Paul and Schroder split point guard duties against the Jazz while Gilgeous-Alexander played off the ball.
“I think that Shai is more than capable of running the point,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said after practice Thursday. “I don't think there's any question about that. I think the greatness of him as a player is one, his humility and his sacrifice and willing to do and play however he needs to play to help our team.”
Donovan said there is going to be “a little bit of give and take” in balancing Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul and Schroder — three primary ball handlers.
“(Gilgeous-Alexander) probably looks at it as, `Hey, this is a chance for me to learn and get better in some of these situations and learn how to play with other good backcourt players,'” Donovan said.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 26 points in his first game with the Thunder. He averaged 10.8 points per game in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“He's shown everybody that he can do everything on the floor,” said who came to the Thunder with
Gilgeous-Alexander.
Diallo gets crunch time minutes
Hamidou Diallo caught a pass in the corner with two seconds on the clock. He bobbled it in a brief moment of indecision, but still had time to take two dribbles toward the basket and float an unorthodox layup off the glass.
Diallo's buzzer beater to end the third quarter Wednesday night in Utah was a perfect portrayal of his game: sometimes out of control, but always full speed.
“That's just the type of player I am,” Diallo said after the game. “I like to read gaps and get into open transition. I don't think anyone can stay in front of me.”
Donovan turned to Diallo in the closing minutes of OKC's 100-95 loss to the Jazz. Diallo played 23 minutes in the season opener, up from the 10.3 minutes per game he averaged as a rookie.
“It's been a long summer,” Diallo said. “Just going out there and being the player that I know I can be. Showing the coaches that I belong.”
Opening night festivities
The Thunder's 7 p.m. Friday home opener against the Wizards will feature a halftime performance by Hinder. The Oklahoma rock band will perform its hit, "Lips of an Angel."
Enid native and Grammy Award-winning operatic soprano Leona Mitchell will sing the national anthem.
Jabee, an Oklahoma actor and hip-hop artist, will introduce the players before the game.