By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Concerning injury news for the Oklahoma City Thunder was countered by Ousmane Dieng making yet another impressive performance in the 2024 NBA Preseason.
The 21-year-old French combo forward contributed 15 points in a win, 104-99, over the Atlanta Hawks in Paycom Center on Thursday evening. He made 4/7 from the field, including two three-pointers, over 25 minutes. Also, he registered eight rebounds, two assists, and one block.
Featuring in all five preseason outings for the team coached by Mark Daigneault, Dieng delivered 11.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 0.2 steals per contest. Two years after being selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft, he is on the way to finally cracking the rotation of the Thunder.
Meanwhile, German teammate Isaiah Hartenstein was ruled out for at least one month after suffering a small, non-displaced fracture in his left hand during the preseason contest opposite the Denver Nuggets in Ball Arena on Tuesday. Injury woes extended to Jalen Williams leaving the game against the Hawks due to a left ankle sprain.
As for Ajay Mitchell, the 22-year-old Belgian rookie of the Thunder finished the preseason with ten points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 19 minutes. Dutch Malevy Leons had two points over three minutes.
For the Hawks, Czech Vit Krejci started with Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic, Swiss Clint Capela, and French Zaccharie Risacher resting, but was held to a scoreless showing with 0/5 field goals over 31 minutes.