On February 15, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game that has ended today, the Oklahoma Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 127-123 in overtime, ending the team's five-game losing streak.
In this game, the reason why the Thunder were able to laugh to the end was due to the young players of the team. Josh Gidey played 38 minutes and shot 11-of-22, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, for a triple-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
Trey Mann also played 31 minutes, shooting 9 of 16, including 4 of 7 three-pointers, and efficiently cut 30 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. It is worth mentioning that both players are rookies in the class of 2021.
With their performances in this game, Gidey and Trey Mann became the first rookie duo in Thunder history to score 28+ points in the same game since April 7, 2008.
The last time that happened was on April 7, 2008, during the Thunder's predecessor Supersonic game against the Nuggets, when Durant and Jeff Green, who were also first-year rookies, played very well. Durant had 37 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and three steals, while Jeff Green had 35 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
I have to say that the Thunder team is indeed very good at selecting and cultivating rookies, and now the team not only has Alexander, Dort, Gidey, Beziley, Trey-Mann and other young talents, but also has a large number of draft picks. Despite the team's current poor record, their road to reconstruction is very bright. In a few years, the Thunder will definitely stand up again and make everyone's eyes shine.