On Wednesday night time, most Oklahoma City followers have been possible watching the Thunder take down the Portland Trail Blazers for the second time in three nights. At the identical time, nevertheless, Mann was main the OKC Blue to a dominant victory over the Lakeland Magic in Las Vegas on the G League Showcase.Â
The second-year guard knocked down seven triples in 31 minutes en path to a 35-point efficiency that noticed the Florida product shoot 12-for-20 from the sector. In addition to tying his career-high in factors, Mann additionally snatched 4 rebounds and dished out three assists.Â
For Orlando’s G League affiliate, former Thunder and Blue level guard Zavier Simpson, or “Captain Hook” as he was nicknamed for his unconventional hook shot, led the best way with 25 factors, seven steals and 5 assists.
Mann was despatched to the G League for the primary time this season after struggling to seek out offensive consistency, believing {that a} stint with the Blue would elevate the Gainesville native’s confidence. It appears as if this technique has labored one recreation in, as Mann was capable of get extra photographs off than he would’ve with the Thunder.Â
His 20 shot makes an attempt on Wednesday night time marks Mann’s second-highest complete all season and essentially the most since Mann went 10-of-24 in October in opposition to the Clippers. The younger ball-handler scored a season-high 25 factors in the competition.Â
In seven video games with the Blue final season, Mann averaged 15 factors, 4.7 rebounds and three.7 assists per recreation in comparison with 10.4 factors, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per recreation in 60 NBA appearances as a rookie. This yr, the artful scorer had fallen to averages of 8.3 factors and a pair of.6 rebounds per recreation with the Thunder.Â
With Mann struggling, sharpshooter Isaiah Joe has stepped in and absorbed his minutes, filling the hole completely for Oklahoma City. The former Clipper has reached double figures 4 occasions in the previous two weeks, most notably dropping 23 factors in a victory over the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies.
In Wednesday night’s matchup in opposition to the Blazers, two-way wing Lindy Waters III noticed time with the Thunder, seemingly changing a few of the minutes that had belonged to Mann whereas the 2 swapped locations.Â
If Mann can proceed to carry out like he did in his first G League recreation of the season, the 2021 first-round decide will rapidly be known as again up by the Thunder.Â
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