Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lugentz Dort (left knee sprain) has been demoted for Wednesday night’s road game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It will be the first game he has missed this season.
In addition to Dort, fifth-year forward Kenrick Williams (sprained right knee) is also out. Of course, the only player listed on the injury report is Chet Homgren, who is out for the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury.
A few NBA betting sites are giving the Thunder the fifth-lowest odds to win the championship in 2023. But the playoffs are not out of the question. They are currently 11-13 and 12th in the West.
NBA INJURY ALERT: Thunder SF Lu Dort (knee) is out for the game against the Grizzlies. pic.twitter.com/MW9cOS3LnF
— DK Nation (@dklive) December 7, 2022
Additionally, through 24 starts this season, Dort is averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals. Additionally, he is shooting 32 percent from three-point range and a career-best 40.5 percent from the floor.
For other depth stats, Dort is posting a career-high 12.5 player efficiency rating. On November 13, in Oklahoma City’s 145-135 win over the New York Knicks, the guard scored a game-high 24 points in 25 minutes of action.
Thunder guard Lugentz Dort is out for Wednesday night’s game against the Grizzlies.
In July, the guard re-signed with the Thunder on a five-year contract worth $87.5 million. Dort’s absence will make it even more challenging for the Grizzlies to upset Oklahoma City and NBA Most Improved Player of the Year Shay Gilgeous-Alexander on FedExForms.
On Monday, the Thunder beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on the road. They outscored Atlanta 37-26 in the fourth quarter. The team overcame a 14-point deficit in the third quarter. Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 35 points.
Thunder vs Grizz. Damage report so far. Kenrich Williams is out. pic.twitter.com/1jzocOIqOJ
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) December 7, 2022
“Try to be aggressive, I try not to look for them too much, just play aggressive basketball and get there when the opportunity comes,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the win.
Unfortunately I didn’t get there in the first half and going into half time I knew I was definitely going to try to get there in the second half.
Aside from losing a game here and there, the Thunder have outscored their opponents 106-68 in the fourth quarter in their last three contests. It was Atlanta’s first win in Oklahoma City since March 2018.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have three players who can be ruled out: Ja Morant (ankle), Jon Konchar (finger) and Zaire Williams (knee). Morant and Konchar are expected to play.
However, 14-year veteran Danny Green (knee) was sidelined for the Memphis tournament. Rookie wing Jake Laravia (foot) is listed as questionable. Desmond Bane will also be out indefinitely with a toe injury.
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, the Grizzlies have an 81% chance of beating the Thunder at home. Oklahoma City is an eight-point road.
