By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Facing his former team, Domantas Sabonis powered the Indiana Pacers to the away win against the Oklahoma City Thunder with his fifth triple-double of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season and 18th overall in his career.
Sabonis, 25, sat out the previous four games after spraining his left ankle against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 19. He certainly did not look like a player coming off the injury list.
“It feels better after a win,” the Lithuanian big man pointed out after the contest held at Paycom Center Friday night, “I am glad we won and played well.”
He tied the game at 100 with 55.6 seconds remaining in regulation. The hosts missed two potential game-winning shots before the Pacers secured the win after five extra minutes with Sabonis chipping in four overtime points.
“We got a bit lucky there on the last possession when they had two easy shots, but that’s basketball,” he confessed, “Sometimes it goes in. Sometimes it doesn’t.”
Sabonis ended up with 24 points, 18 rebounds, ten assists, two steals, and two blocks lasting 44 minutes. The Pacers, after losing three out of the four contests without him, jumped to 18-32, sitting six games outside the Play-In zone of the Eastern Conference.
The former Gonzaga standout selected 11th overall in the 2011 draft, has been constantly linked to trade rumors ahead of NBA’s deadline set on February 10. It remains to be seen if he will switch teams upon a deal to move him away from Indiana.
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