The G League’s OKC Blue began the second half of the 2023-24 regular season with a close loss to the Maine Celtics, 117-111.
The home loss drops the Blue to 0-1: Records are reset following the G League’s Winter Showcase.
The Blue fell behind early, trailing the Celtics, 31-27, following the first quarter. The second quarter was deadlocked at 35, and OKC entered halftime trailing, 66-62.
The Blue entered the final frame trailing by two points, but a 10-3 run by Maine ballooned that deficit to nine less than three minutes into the fourth quarter.
OKC managed to come back and take a 100-99 lead, but Maine responded and never relinquished the lead again the rest of the way.
In the final two minutes, the Blue cut it to a three-point game, but couldn’t complete the comeback despite several opportunities.
The Blue shot 46% from the field and went 13-of-37 (35.1%) from 3. OKC dished 28 assists on its 40 baskets. Seventeen turnovers contributed to the Blue taking 15 fewer shots than the Celtics.
Meanwhile, the Celtics shot 42% from the field and went 15-of-46 (32.6%) from 3. They dished 27 assists and grabbed 55 rebounds, which included 16 offensive boards.
Some notable individual performances for both sides:
- Ousmane Dieng: 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, 2-of-5 from 3, three assists
- Lindy Waters III: 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 5-of-9 from 3, six rebounds, four assists
- Keyontae Johnson: 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting, three rebounds, three steals
- Olivier Sarr: 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting, 11 rebounds
- Drew Peterson: 20 points on 9-of-19 shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists
- JD Davison: 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 10 rebounds, six assists
- Jordan Schakel: 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, 5-of-10 from 3
- Jordan Walsh: 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, three steals
The full highlights from the Blue’s six-point loss to the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate can be watched below:
