Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Two straight DNP-CDs
Rotowire
Pokusevski did not see the floor in either of the Thunder's last two games Tuesday against Portland or Wednesday against Utah.
Oklahoma City has taken tanking to another level over the final week of the season, as players like Pokusevski, Theo Maledon and Aaron Wiggins have inexplicably picked up DNP-CDs in two straight games. It's very much unclear if that will continue over the team's final two contests, but DFS managers should tread lightly when it comes to the Thunder, as the rotation is liable to change on a whim.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Coming off bench
Rotowire
Pokusevski will come off the bench Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Pokusevski will come off the bench following five straight starts with Jaylen Hoard starting at power forward. In his past 15 games as a reserve, the former has averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 24.1 minutes.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: First career triple-double
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Pokusevski recorded 17 points (7-14 FG, 3-5 3PT), 12 assists, 10 rebounds, one block and one steal in Sunday's 117-96 win over Phoenix.
Pokusevski made history by becoming the first Thunder center to record a triple since Jack Sikma in 1984. The second-year center has seen an enormous increase in minutes as the season has progressed due to several injuries to nine Oklahoma City players. The Serbia native should remain in the starting lineup as the regular season draws to a close.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Back in starting lineup
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Pokusevski (illness) will start at power forward Sunday against Phoenix.
After missing Friday's loss to Detroit with an illness, Pokusevski is back in action at his usual small forward spot. Even by their standards, the Thunder are fielding an embarrassingly poor roster to end the season, so expect Pokusevski to serve as one of the Thunder's primary scoring options. Over his last 14 games, Pokusevski has averaged 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Available Sunday
Rotowire
Pokusevski (illness) is available for Sunday's game against Phoenix, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Pokusevski was held out Friday due to flu-like symptoms, but he'll be back in action following a one-game absence. He's started in each of his last four appearances and has averaged 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 33.5 minutes per game during that time.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Questionable vs. Suns
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Pokusevski (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Flu-like symptoms prevented Pokusevski from playing Friday against the Pistons, but he could be back Sunday. He's started six of the past seven games with averages of 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.6 minutes.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Unavailable Friday
Rotowire
Pokusevski has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons due to flu-like symptoms, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.
Pokusevski had started each of the last four games, and he averaged 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 33.5 minutes per game during that time. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Isaiah Roby should see additional run against Detroit.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Hands out eight assists
Rotowire
Pokusevski accumulated 13 points (4-11 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and eight assists in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 136-118 loss to the Hawks.
Pokusevski has scored in double digits in four of his last five contests, and regardless of his role, he's been able to produce at a relatively consistent rate. He has recorded 10 or more points in all but three of his 15 appearances this month, averaging 12.2 points despite shooting 41.8 percent from the field in that span.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Back in starting lineup
Rotowire
Pokusevski will start Wednesday's game against the Magic.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ruled out due to right ankle soreness, Pokusevski will draw his third start over the team's last four games. He's averaging 7.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game this season, but he posted 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal in 28 minutes off the bench against Boston on Monday.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Pulls down 15 boards in start
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Pokusevski chipped in 10 points (5-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 15 rebounds, five assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Friday's 120-108 loss to Miami.
Back in the starting five for the first time since March 6, Pokusevski took advantage of the increased opportunity to post his third double-double of the season. The 2020 first-round pick has been all over the map this season, but over his last 13 games, he's up to 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 made threes per contest.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Starting Friday
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Pokusevski will start Friday's game against the Heat, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
Pokusevski will rejoin the starting unit Friday as Tre Mann shifts to a bench role. He's averaging 6.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 18.3 minutes per game this season.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Nice offensive game Monday
Rotowire
Pokusevski provided 17 points (6-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes during Monday's 134-116 loss to the Hornets.
Pokusevski popped for 17 points in the loss, his highest scoring total in more than a month. With that being said, he has now scored in double-digits in six consecutive games, averaging 12.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists. These numbers are certainly not going to win you your fantasy league, but he is more than acceptable to have on a 12-team roster right now.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Coming off bench
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Pokusevski will come off the bench Tuesday against the Bucks, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
After three straight starts, Pokusevski will come off the bench. Over his past 12 appearances, he's averaged 11.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.4 minutes.
Pokusevski logged 12 points (6-15 FG, 0-5 3Pt), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 34 minutes during Sunday's 116-103 loss to Utah.
The Thunder's numerous absences have made Pokusevski a waiver-wire favorite over the past week, as he's posted impressive scoring and rebounding numbers over three consecutive starts. He should remain a safe option unless he leaves the starting lineup.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Posts nice stat line as starter
Rotowire
Pokusevski accumulated nine points (4-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 29 minutes during Wednesday's 119-107 victory over the Nuggets.
Pokusevski got the start with Aaron Wiggins (ankle) out of commission, and the 20-year-old came through with a team-leading 11 boards along with a pair of blocks and steals. His offensive production was less dynamic, but he did well enough with a 4-for-9 shooting line and only one turnover. Pokusevski has earned some fantasy relevance with his play of late -- he has scored in double-digits in six of his past 10 games while averaging 6.4 boards and 1.2 blocks over that stretch.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Starting for Wiggins
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Pokusevski will start Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman reports.
With Aaron Wiggins (ankle) sidelined, Pokusevski will join the starting five for the first time since Jan. 5. The 19-year-old has seen an uptick in minutes since he was recalled from the G League on Feb. 8, averaging 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks across 23.6 minutes per game.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Posts strong all-around line
Rotowire
Pokusevski ended with nine points (4-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals across 26 minutes during Monday's 131-110 loss to the Kings.
Pokusevski struggled from the field, but he made up for the lack of scoring with across-the-board contributions in other areas. The 20-year-old led OKC in rebounds, finished second in assists and was the only player on the team to register multiple steals and blocks. Perhaps most positively, Pokusevski logged 26 minutes of court time -- his highest mark in his past three contests. Given his ability to contribute across multiple categories, Pokusevski could be a game-changer in fantasy down the stretch if he consistently sees minutes in the mid-20s or above.
Pokusevski racked up 13 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and seven rebounds over 19 minutes during Thursday's 124-104 loss to the Suns.
Pokusevski took a bit of a step back Thursday, turning in a somewhat empty performance in the loss. His playing time has been up and down over the past few games, allowing him to tantalize us with his fantasy upside. Despite the intrigue, it does not appear as though he is going to play enough on a regular basis to warrant anything more than a deeper league roster spot. However, managers will want to keep an eye on the rotation in Oklahoma City, just in case he moves up the pecking order as we approach the silly season.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Efficient performance in loss
Rotowire
Pokusevski totaled 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 30 minutes during Friday's 100-87 loss to Philadelphia.
Pokusevski struggled a bit from deep but still provided a strong scoring effort off the bench. The former first-round pick has scored in double digits in each of his last three appearances and is moving in the right direction, as he had achieved that feat just three times this year prior to his recent hot streak.
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Thunder's Aleksej Pokusevski: Efficient shooting in loss
Rotowire
Pokusevski contributed 18 points (7-9 FG, 4-5 3Pt), four rebounds, four steals, two blocks and one assist across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 117-98 loss to the Raptors.
After being largely outside of the Thunder rotation since late December, Pokusevski has now turned in two straight big games off the bench while seeing major minutes. After putting up 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes last weekend against the Kings, Pokusevski sat out the Thunder's following game since he played in the G League earlier in the day, but he rejoined the NBA team and submitted his best all-around line of the season. At neither the NBA nor the G League level, Pokusevski hasn't shown the ability to shoot efficiently on a consistent basis, so the 77.8 percent mark from the field and 80 percent mark from three-point range should be viewed as major outliers. That said, Pokusevski has shown the ability to put up points and defensive stats when given meaningful run, so he could be an interesting short-term pickup in 12-team leagues or deeper to see if this level of playing time ends up holding.
