Undefeated, Thunder spoil Bilal Coulibaly’s big comeback

After reception green light from the doctorBilal Coulibaly is right in the starting five, and the Frenchman has ants in his legs! He’s the one covering Cason Wallace on the boards, before countering seconds later for a two-handed dunk. Washington leads 11-6 and Mark Daigno takes the first timeout. The Dort-SGA duo goes 6-0 to take control, and the opening rotation allows OKC to establish its dominance with Ajay Mitchell once more interesting (28-20).

Deprived of Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, the Thunder rely on a hyper-aggressive defense in front of the goal, and turnovers keep coming to Washington’s side. Koulibaly is the best player on the Wizards side, and we see that he scored on the head of Alex Caruso. As in the first half, Daigneault immediately asks for a timeout (40-34). Like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC doesn’t push him, but steps on the gas when needed. For example, after Coulibaly’s tying basket (44-44), SGA and Isaiah Joe fight for 3 points and make it 9-0. Koulibaly, again, stops the bleeding with a tap, but at the break OKC leads by 10 points (59-49).

Returning from the locker room, the Thunder fell into apathy again at the beginning of the match. The Wizards took advantage, and Marvin Bagley scored on a 9-0 run to bring his team back within two (83-81). As in the first two quarters, OKC was stung, and it was SGA again, this time accompanied by Ajay Mitchell and Jailen Williams, who started a 3-point fest to regain some air (92-84).

Finally, after holding out for three quarters, the Wizards would crack. With 31 points on the clock, SGA went to sit down for the night, and it was Andrew Wiggins who sent Isaiah Hartenstein into the alley for a 15-point lead (101-86). Eight minutes left to play, and OKC goes 18-2 for a 24-point lead! The Wizards were knocked out, and the Thunder recorded their 6th win in six games.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– confirms Ajay Mitchell. The author of 20 points, the Belgian is one of the revelations of this beginning of the season, and we better understand why Mark Deno trusts him more and more… Always 100% on free throws this season, he brings management and a shot from the bench, and complicity with Isaiah Joe brings a real plus compared to last season. However, like Wallace, he tried Made in Coulibaly tarps.

– Coulibaly seduces. While Alex Sarr was manipulated by Shai Giljus-Alexander, Bilal Coulibaly reassured the coach and managers about his health. Well recovered from a wrist injury, he was the best wizard in the first half, at both ends of the pitch. A disappointment in Blue, Koulibaly has convinced himself in the NBA game, where his athletic qualities can be better expressed.

– assures Hartenstein. With Holmgren spared, the Thunder can still count on Isaiah Hartenstein to take over. It’s a luxury for Marc Daigneault to be able to count on a second starting pivot. The former Knicks interior player scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. He has a hard time moving on the rebound, and on the other side of the court he perfectly masters the pick-and-roll to release in the alley-oop.

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