For the first time in a decade, there are four teams still undefeated after 10 nights of NBA basketball. The Raptors (5-0), Bucks (4-0), Pistons (4-0) and Pelicans (3-0) remain unbeaten, while the Nuggets fell from the pack on a four-game Thursday night.
Speaking of last night…
Thunder remain winless
The Thunder are now 0-4 and off to their worst start since the team moved from Seattle. Despite having a double-digit lead at one point, a floundering performance in the fourth quarter allowed Boston to storm back.
With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Oklahoma City led Boston 94-85. The final score was 101-95.
A 16-1 run secured the Celtics’ victory and kept Oklahoma City’s win column equal to the number on the back of Westbrook’s jersey.
The Thunder came into the game ranking last in the league in offensive efficiency, and it showed on Thursday, particularly late in the final quarter when they shot 1-for-11 during the game’s last five minutes. During that period, Westbrook went 0-for-5 from the field and committed two turnovers.
“That’s on me,” Westbrook said after the loss. “I take full responsibility in making sure that we gotta do what we need to do to win the game and I gotta do a better job of making sure we close the game, so that’s on me.”
It’s only Westbrook’s second game back from offseason knee surgery, and it’s clearly still October, but the Thunder aren’t close to looking like the team many expected them to be. There’s a chance to right the ship sooner rather than later as their next three games are against teams that missed the playoffs last season.
Top three performances
1. Damian Lillard was stone cold in Orlando: 41 points, seven rebounds, six assists
2. LeBron James’ first triple-double with Lakers: 28 points,11 rebounds, 11 assists
3. Andre Drummond puts up another 20-20: 26 points, 22 rebounds
