Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe suited up Thursday after sitting out four games with a bruised left knee. Teammate Alex Caruso said Joe’s shooting forces opponents to guard farther from the basket, creating space for everyone else. Joe enters the night averaging 12.9 points, taking 6.9 three-pointers per contest and converting 41.9% of them.
Another Thunder wing, Aaron Wiggins, is also above 41% from long range. The third-year swingman is producing career highs with 12.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.2 minutes. Head coach Mark Daigneault praised Wiggins for understanding the team’s schemes on both ends, calling him a “system monster” who adapts to multiple roles.
In Portland, interim head coach Tiago Splitter has introduced a postgame ritual designed to reward defense. After each victory, the coaching staff selects the night’s top defender, who then places his name on a slip of paper and drops it into a small wooden box. Players with the most entries will receive an undisclosed prize at season’s end. “I wanted to give the group a little reward for a good defensive day,” Splitter said.
Minnesota continues to search for consistency. Wednesday’s home loss to Memphis prompted head coach Chris Finch to criticize the team’s offensive choices, citing poor shot selection, turnovers and execution. The Timberwolves get a quick chance to respond Friday against the Thunder, who beat them 113-105 on Nov. 29.
Source: Hoops Rumors
