Thunder a part of history Saturday in Sacramento
THUNDER JOURNAL
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Construction workers broke ground on Arco Arena, now Sleep Train Arena, in 1986. The first Sacramento Kings game was played there in 1988. Its final one took place on Saturday night. The Thunder, two decades from existence when it was created, stood as the opponent. “I’m honored to play here,”
said. “This is big-time.”
The Kings gave out shirts to every fan. They changed the court to its original baby blue form and wore baby blue throwback jerseys. Former players across different eras were all over on Saturday — including
and — walking across the arena wearing their former jerseys to identify them. Pregame, former Kings star
caught up with Thunder coach The two were college teammates at Providence.
“Big O,” Donovan welcomed him with a smile and hug.
The Thunder doesn’t have a ton of history with the Kings. Asked his favorite moment in the building, took awhile before answering, racking his brain and then finally decided on a game a few seasons ago when they blacked out the arena.
“Every game we played in here was regular season,” Durant said.
But the first regular season game in Ford Center history — now Chesapeake Energy Arena — was between the Oklahoma City Hornets and Kings. And now the final one in Sleep Train Arena history was between the Kings and Thunder.
DURANT SYMPATHIZES WITH GOLDEN STATE
A few days ago, Warriors forward admitted that the end of the regular season has got a bit boring of late, leading to Golden State’s worse play.
At Saturday’s shootaround in Sacramento, Durant was asked whether he could relate.
“They are everywhere, so I’m sure they have so much media attention on them,” Durant said. “So many people criticizing every move they do, everything they say because they’re trying to chase down some history. So I’m sure that’s weighing down on them a little bit mentally, having to try to deal with all of this every single game. Especially coming closer and closer to that mark.”
“For us,” Durant continued. “Guys are just trying to improve and going about it under the radar. So it’s different situations. But I understand exactly where he’s coming from.”
NO HUESTIS
Despite some strong play in a couple recent games, Josh Huestis was inactive for the Thunder’s Saturday night game in Sacramento.
It seemed like a perfect time to give Huestis a look in the regular rotation, but instead Donovan decided to dress the veteran big man who was signed to be a veteran leader in the locker room. Why?
“I think the biggest thing that now Kevin is back, (Huestis’) minutes and how much he’d probably play tonight, there’s not really a great opportunity,” Donovan said. “The other thing is trying to get (Kyle Singler) going a little bit. I think that’s important. I also think from a leadership standpoint, having Nazr on the bench is important.”
MCGARY REMAINS AWAY FROM TEAM
Thunder reserve forward
remained away from the Thunder on Saturday night while dealing with an undisclosed personal matter. It’s tough timing for McGary, particularly having missed OKC’s game in Portland, where the seldom-used second-year player could’ve got some minutes.
“You just feel bad that someone’s going through a difficult situation and can’t be here with the team, with the guys and is missing out on an opportunity to grow,” Donovan said.
STAT OF THE NIGHT
Entering Saturday night, the Thunder was 10-4 all-time in Sacramento’s now-closed Sleep Train Arena.
UP NEXT
The Thunder return home for its final road game of the season on Monday. It’s also Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s final road game as an NBA player.
“Looking forward to it,” Durant said. “It’s been a huge party wherever he goes. For this to be the last stop, I’m looking forward to playing against him and sending him off. I don’t really watch NBA games a lot, but I’m gonna watch the Utah game.”