INSIDE: MONTY WILLIAMS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THE THUNDER,
After a mysterious two-week absence, second-year forward Mitch McGary returned to the Thunder on Monday night, showing up at the arena and sitting on the bench in street clothes.
On Tuesday, he was back at practice, spotted working on post moves with the big men. McGary didn’t talk with reporters. But he’s expected to on Wednesday, though it remains unclear whether he will shed any light on why he took an extended leave of absence from the team.
Citing his privacy, Thunder officials have declined to delve into specifics.
“He looks great,” Billy Donovan said. “I’m really happy for him that he’s back and worked through whatever he needed to work through.”
WILLIAMS NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN TO OKC, WILL HELP TEAM USA
Ever since the tragic death of his wife in a car crash back in February, Monty Williams has been away from the Thunder, needing to care for his five children.
A few months ago, the organization announced he wouldn’t return this season. Moving into next year, Williams is not expected to return to the Thunder coaching staff, The Oklahoman has learned. His NBA coaching future remains uncertain.
But Williams is expected return to coaching in another capacity. This summer, Williams is set to help out with Team USA as they prepare and play in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.
VILLANUEVA TO WESTBROOK: ‘IF YOU WANT TO GO DANCING ... GO TO A NIGHTCLUB’
Russell Westbrook and Cameron Payne went through their typically elaborate pregame dance routine on Monday night. But right in the middle, Charlie Villanueva stood and interrupted it.
Westbrook pushed him away, kept dancing and the video went viral. Asked about it after the game, Kevin Durant called it “fake,” Westbrook agreed and then added: “That’s for the guys that don’t play.”
Villanueva didn’t talk to the media on Monday night. But on Tuesday afternoon, he responded with an online video.
“I heard Russell Westbrook talking about those for the guys that don’t play,” Villanueva said. “And I don’t necessarily know who he’s talking about. Because Cameron Payne and myself had the same stat-line. Then Kevin Durant added his two cents, but Kevin’s a good kid so I’m gonna leave him alone. If you want to go dancing, stuff like that, go to a nightclub. Go to a club and dance, go to Dancing with the Stars and dance.”
KANTER MISSES OUT ON SIXTH MAN
Thunder big man Enes Kanter finished third in voting for this season’s Sixth Man Award, announced on Tuesday morning. The Clippers’ Jamal Crawford was the winner of the award. Golden State’s
Andre Iguodala finished second. Crawford amassed 51 first-place votes and 341 total points from a panel of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Iguodala finished second with 288 points (33 first-place votes), and Kanter was third with 182 points (19 first-place votes).
“I hope he gets it,” fellow center Steven Adams said, oblivious to the fact that voting was over and it had been announced. “Oh, well good luck next year. Work harder, mate.”
DURANT’S MOTHER: HE’S LOYAL TO OKC
Wanda Pratt, the mother of Thunder star Kevin Durant, visited NBC4 in Washington on Tuesday morning and was asked about Durant’s upcoming free agency, according to CSN Mid-Atlantic.
“I don’t know what his ultimate decision will be,” Pratt is quoted as saying.
Durant will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, allowing him an opportunity to sign with any team in the NBA.
Pratt, however, said her son is focused on the playoffs.
“They’re 1-1 (in the opening-round series with Dallas),” Pratt is quoted as saying. “He really focuses on his task at hand. He’s very loyal to the Thunder, so he felt it would be unjust to focus on other things while playing in the playoffs.”