OKLAHOMA CITY — With both teams playing their backups, the Oklahoma City Thunder collected their 40th win of the season in a 115-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
OKC finishes the season 40-42 — a 16-win improvement from last year. A much better record than what the general consensus suggested before the season began.
This game marked the regular-season finale for both teams as they elected to sit their starters due to the Thunder being stuck with the 10th seed and the Grizzlies being stuck with the second seed.
The Thunder relied on their starting lineup this entire game as the only reserves Aaron Wiggins (eight minutes) and Lindy Waters III (12 minutes) played sporadic minutes. OKC’s starters averaged 44 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies only played six players in this game, each playing at least 33 minutes.
The Thunder used a 38-24 third-quarter advantage to flip a two-point halftime deficit into an eight-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, the Thunder used an 18-10 run to open up a game-high 20-point lead over the Grizzlies. OKC utilized the cushion to cruise the rest of the way for the relaxed win.
Overall, the Thunder outscored the Grizzlies, 68-51, in the second half to collect win No. 40.
Starting backcourt Jared Butler and Tre Mann took full advantage of the impromptu opportunity as they combined to score 49 points on 19-of-37 shooting, which included the latter collecting his first career triple-double.
“He’s a better player today than what he was a year ago,” Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said about Mann. “Now the year hasn’t gone as well relative to his expectations for sure as it did last year but he’s definitely a better player than what he was a year ago.”
Meanwhile, this game brought back flashbacks of last year’s summer league as Kenny Lofton Jr. dominated with a career-high 42 points on 17-of-25 shooting and 14 rebounds. It’s been a nice weekend for the former G Leaguer, who signed a full-time NBA deal on Saturday.
2021 lottery pick Ziaire Williams also had a good showing with a career-high 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting and nine assists.
Truthfully, not a ton of eyes paid attention to this game as it impacted neither the Thunder nor the Grizzlies.
The more important game on the NBA schedule was the New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game that tipped off at the same time. Thunder fans were likely glued to that game as it determined OKC’s Play-In opponent.
The Pelicans lost, which means they will host the 10th-seeded Thunder in their Play-In tournament game.
“We’re gonna treat it like another game,” Daigneault said about the Play-In. “We’re gonna put a gameplan out there. Make sure that our guys are really clear on it. We have two days to prepare… I’m excited to see what our best punch looks like in obviously a high-stakes game where there’s a lot of distraction and a lot of noise.”
Let’s look at Thunder player grades for the regular-season finale.
Tre Mann: A
With plenty of minutes up for grabs, Tre Mann took advantage of Sunday’s opportunity as he collected his first triple-double ever — whether at the NBA level or high school level.
Mann finished with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 12 assists and 12 rebounds in 47 grueling minutes. Afterward, his teammates drenched him in cold water and Gatorade
“I seen it coming but I didn’t know they were going to keep coming,” Mann joked, vowing revenge. “… I’ll get them back though.”
Mann’s had a rough sophomore season as he slowly sizzled out of the rotation, but it sounds like Daigneault’s faith in him has not been rattled as he believes he’s improved this year.
Mann believes the same too.
“It was a tough year for me obviously, but I just focus day-to-day trying to get better,” Mann said, “I am a better player than I was last year, just didn’t get to show it this year.”
TRE MANN OH MY GOODNESS@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/Ej3JYGfJpt
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
THERE GOES THAT MANN.@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/8fo4joEdly
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
This pass from Tre Mann is ABSURD 🫣@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/hzd8YkQYGf
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
Defensive stop ➡️ downhill attack pic.twitter.com/Gfv5Ww53PC
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 9, 2023
Tre Mann step-back 3's >>>>
There's a new option to watch the Thunder. Learn More: https://t.co/YioxgSU4nH@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/LqAAB31zbl
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
Jared Butler: A-
With the two-way players ineligible for the postseason, the Thunder gave Jared Butler plenty of action this game as he racked up 46 minutes.
Butler finished with a career-high 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting and went 5-of-9 from 3.
After the game, Butler spoke about his experience of playing in single-game elimination contests, which he did in college through Baylor’s 2021 championship run.
“Don’t have the fear of winning,” Butler said. “Because you want to win too bad and you kind of are tight and not playing the way that you always usually play.”
The Thunder will be under similar pressure as they play a win-or-go-home game against the Pelicans.
Jared Butler catching 🔥 from 3!
There's a new option to watch the Thunder. Learn More: https://t.co/YioxgSU4nH@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/6u8FH9w4fR
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
Ousmane Dieng: B+
After a slow first half, Ousmane Dieng finished his rookie campaign on a strong note in the latter two quarters.
In 45 minutes, Dieng finished with a career-high 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting and went 2-of-8 from 3 to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds in the near triple-double performance.
Dieng scored 16 of his points in the second half on 5-of-8 shooting.
“His talent was on display,” Daigneault said about Dieng. “The real thing is where the ball goes when it’s in its hands. He has a great sense of the game. He’s got great instincts.”
The Dieng to Sarr connection has been ON POINT today 💯@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/KpZTFtXSog
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
Olivier Sarr: B
Like Butler, Olivier Sarr was in a similar situation where he played his final game this season as a two-way player.
In his lone start of the season, Sarr finished with 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 15 rebounds in 42 minutes. He eventually fouled out in the fourth quarter.
DIENG 🤝 SARR@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/rPZGN7nO7T
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
Throw it down then Sarr 😤@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/9y73SnCNhF
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) April 9, 2023
