Mann leads Thunder past Giddey’s former NBL team
The Adelaide 36ers created quite a stir when they beat the Phoenix Suns by 10 points Sunday night. The Thunder, which hosted the 36ers on Thursday, was adequately warned about the feisty Australian side.
“They had us on edge with the way they played in Phoenix,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
Adelaide wasn’t so sneaky in Oklahoma City. Tre Mann and the Thunder crushed the 36ers 131-98 at Paycom Center.
Mann, using his wicked step-back jumper, danced around the 36ers. The second-year guard shot 9-of-11 from the field, including a sizzling 8-of-10 mark from 3-point range en route to a 26point night.
“Mann, keep kicking a–,” Adelaide coach CJ Bruton told Mann in the hallway leading to the postgame interview room.
Obviously it was a preseason game, but in regular season and playoff games, only three Thunder players have ever made at least eight 3-pointers in a game. Paul George did it five times. Russell Westbrook did it twice. And Dennis Schroder once.
Mann, after burying a heat-check three in the third quarter, could only shake his head. The 36ers might have felt like doing the same.
“The rim was looking big tonight and my teammates were finding me,” Mann said.
Lindy Waters III joined in on the fun, shooting 6-of-9 from 3-point range with 23 points off the bench.
The Thunder led by as many as 38 points. OKC was wildly efficient, shooting 53% from the floor and 50% (20of-40) from 3-point range.
Josh Giddey, facing his former NBL team, had 10 points, six assists and five rebounds in 21 minutes.
The Australian national anthem played before tip-off, and Giddey had the chance to catch up with his old teammates and coaches after the game.
“I always wanted to be a part of one of these games,” Giddey said.
“I thought I was going to be on the NBL team playing against an NBA team, but here we are … it’s really special. It’s great for the NBL. Great for basketball in Australia.”
Breakout game for Eugene Omoruyi
Thunder defensive tackle Eugene Omoruyi barrelled his way to 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
The 6-foot-6 Nigerian forward is fun to watch. His stocky build stands out, as does the No. 97 on his back.
“I bring the energy, I bring the physicality,” Omoruyi said. “I’m the type of guy that people hate to go against but love to have on their team.”
Omoruyi, who played in four games for the Mavericks last season, is on a two-way contract with the Thunder.
“I love being around this team,” Omoruyi said. “This preseason has been great. A learning experience.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury update
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reached the two-week mark (the reevaluation period) in his recovery from a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.
While not offering up too many details, Daigneault said Gilgeous-Alexander has “definitely progressed.”
“He’s doing one-on-O workouts, he’s running, he’s shooting, he’s driving the ball,” Daigneault said. “But no contact yet.”
Gilgeous-Alexander was warming up on the court before the game Thursday. While not working up too much of a sweat, Gilgeous-Alexander looked comfortable. There was no wrap or brace on his knee.
Daigneault didn’t rule out GilgeousAlexander for the Thunder’s season opener Oct. 19 at Minnesota.
Mayor David Holt heats up late
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Australian Consul-General Benson Saulo faced off in a halftime free throw competition. Holt ran out from one of the tunnels, with PA announcer Mario Nanni bellowing the mayor’s name.
“I hope someone has video of me being announced on the Thunder court because clearly that is never going to happen again after the performance tonight,” Holt told The Oklahoman.
Neither statesman shot the ball well. Holt and Saulo both went 0-of-5 in their first round of attempts.
The ensuing tiebreaker ended in … a tie. A victory for diplomacy.
“Everything was great other than the basketball playing,” Holt said. “But I will say, there’s a reason you have warmups in a game. If you noticed, I made my last two.”
It was a cool opportunity for Holt and Oklahoma City to host the 36ers.
“I love exhibition games against international teams,” Holt said. “We’re gonna see these NBA teams 41 more nights. It’s so cool that we have a team from Australia and a team from Israel coming in here. It’s just a reminder of how far Oklahoma City has come.”
Thunder tip-ins
● Lu Dort (concussion) went through a fairly intense pregame warmup. It’s a good sign for Dort, who should be ready to go by the regular season.
● Mike Muscala (ankle sprain) is unlikely to play at any point in the preseason.
● Santa Clara Jalen Williams (strep throat), Ousmane Dieng (knee contusion) and Kenrich Williams (rest) were also out Thursday night.
● After starting the Thunder’s first two preseason games, Aleksej Pokusevski came off the bench Thursday. Darius Bazley got the start at power forward.
● Craig Randall II is going to be a problem for opposing NBL teams. The American import who played college ball at Memphis and Tennessee-Martin had 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting.