Aleksej Pokusevski has had his fair proportion of struggles, however on a roster with little consistency outdoors of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Poku has been one of many few prospects on the roster to point out actual enchancment this season.
The Serbian point-forward performed a whopping 39 minutes in Oklahoma City’s extra time loss to Milwaukee and was a key cause the Thunder stayed shut all sport. Poku has had massive video games with OKC’s stars sidelined earlier than, however this was essentially the most significant set of minutes he’s ever performed.
Pokusevski stuffed the stat sheet with 17 factors, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. He was a power in transition and stepped up in a giant manner, flattening 4-of-7 3-point makes an attempt too.
Yes, Brook Lopez performed bully ball inside. But for almost all of the night, Pokusevski was Oklahoma City’s heart on the ground, and nonetheless held the seasoned veteran to underneath 50% taking pictures. With Tre Mann’s scorching hand, Mark Daigneault went small down the stretch forcing Poku to slip over to the middle spot.
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Pokusevski received’t be slotted in on the heart spot for lengthy, because the Thunder lately drafted Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 choose. Holmgren lacking this season has opened up a world of enjoying time for somebody like Pokusevski. He’s made essentially the most of it up to now, as his development, and talent to play a number of positions on the ground may very well be an essential issue for Oklahoma City transferring ahead.
His creativeness on the ground has been a giant optimistic for the Thunder. He’s seemed just like the “connector” he was marketed to be this offseason. His basketball I.Q. and really feel for the sport is exclusive, it carries a mode in contrast to anybody else.
After a unbelievable sport in opposition to the Magic final week, it has been a promising begin to the season for one of many Thunder’s unique tasks. Obviously, Pokusevski nonetheless has a methods to go. But all offseason, we talked about Thunder prospects stepping up and securing a spot in Oklahoma City’s future plans. Right now, it appears to be like like Poku took the problem to coronary heart.
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