Oklahoma

Thunder Fall to Hawks in Offensive Showdown

Published

2 years ago

January 25, 2023

Thunder Fall to Hawks in Offensive Showdown

Following their thrilling victory in opposition to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 137-132 on the Paycom Heart on Wednesday evening, dropping OKC’s file to 23-25.

The Thunder have been, as typical, led by fifth-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who completed the competition with 36 factors, seven assists, 5 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. For the Hawks, Norman native Trae Younger tallied 33 factors and 11 assists.

OKC and Atlanta went forwards and backwards in opening body. The Thunder have been capable of construct a 22-15 lead halfway by means of the primary quarter, however the Hawks shortly clawed again, slicing Oklahoma Metropolis’s result in two after an inside bucket from huge man John Collins.

Moments later, French rookie Ousmane Dieng made his first NBA look since Dec. 5 after struggling a damaged wrist. The 2 squads continued to battle, and Atlanta finally took a 39-36 lead following a deep 3-pointer from Younger.

On the subsequent possession, sharpshooter Isaiah Joe knocked down a triple kind the nook after falling down earlier in play. Joe’s game-tying shot kicked off a 7-0 OKC run that gave the Thunder a 43-39 lead heading into the second interval.

After a Dieng triple early within the second quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis’s lead was again to seven. As soon as once more, nonetheless, the Hawks discovered their method again into the sport.

All-Star guard Dejounte Murray hit consecutive mid-range photographs to present Atlanta a 52-50 benefit. A number of possessions later, Joe, Younger and Aaron Wiggins nailed consecutive triples that will put OKC again up by one.

Neither offense slowed within the ultimate minutes of the primary half, and after three consecutive “and-one” layups in addition to a technical free throw by Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have been up 77-75 with three seconds remaining within the second quarter. With 0.1 seconds left on the clock, Younger was fouled, and would tie the sport at 77 heading into the break.

At halftime, Oklahoma Metropolis’s star had a whopping 26 factors, going 9-of-11 from the sector and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.

Early within the third quarter, a layup from Murray put Atlanta forward, however OKC regained the lead behind a 7-1 run that included a Gilgeous-Alexander dunk in transition and a Lu Dort triple. As soon as once more, the Hawks fought again and tied the sport at 87.

After buying and selling blows for a couple of moments, the Hawks went on a 10-2 run that gave Atlanta a 102-99 lead. Veteran huge man Mike Muscala tied the sport with a 3-pointer, however the Hawks continued to roll offensively, increase a 109-104 result in closeout the third interval.

Atlanta’s lead grew to fifteen early within the fourth quarter, and with Gilgeous-Alexander resting on the bench, the Thunder had no reply for the Hawks offensive flurry. Popping out of a Mark Daigneault timeout, a triple from Wiggins, two layups from Josh Giddey and a Jalen Williams transition dunk introduced Oklahoma Metropolis inside six, leading to an Atlanta timeout.

The Hawks scored 5 fast factors popping out of the timeout, pushing their lead again to double digits. OKC launched into one other 7-0 run, bringing the Thunder again inside six with three minutes left within the recreation.

Within the ultimate second, OKC trailed by seven, however after two fast buckets and a Jalen Williams steal and slam dunk, the Thunder have been inside one with simply 15 seconds left.

Oklahoma Metropolis, nonetheless, couldn’t full the comeback, falling 137-132.

The Thunder will return to motion at 7 P.M. CT on Friday in OKC in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners add another transfer portal quarterback

Published

8 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners add another transfer portal quarterback

The Oklahoma Sooners made a splash via the transfer portal when they added former Washington State quarterback and the top player in this year’s portal class, John Mateer. But the Sooners weren’t done at quarterback, adding Western Carolina signal caller Cole Gonzales.

Gonzales started 22 games in three seasons with the Catamounts, completing 63.5% of his passes for 6,445 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. On non-sack rushing attempts, Gonzales averaged 5.4 yards per carry and ran for 701 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2023, he was the 2023 Southern Conference Player of the Year and was a two-time first-team All-Conference selection. Last year, he completed 66.1% of his throws for 2,547 yards, 26 touchdowns and threw just six interceptions in 11 games. That year, Gonzales threw for five touchdown passes three times and six games with more than 250 yards passing.

In 2024, he completed 61.7% of his passes for 2,545 yards and 12 touchdowns and threw seven interceptions this season. Gonzales was really efficient in the deep passing game, with a 45.5% completion percentage on throws greater than 20 yards down the field. That was good for sixth in the FCS among quarterbacks with at least 44 pass attempts on deep throws.

In the 2024 season opener against N.C. State, Gonzales threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns, completing 62.9% of his passes. He also carried the ball six times for 78 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, who removes sacks from rushing totals.

Against Furman, in week eight of the 2024 season, Gonzales threw for 620 yards and five touchdowns.

In Gonzales, the Sooners add more quarterback depth to the roster to go along with Mateer, Michael Hawkins Jr., and 2025 signee Jett Niu. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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Oklahoma

What will the weather be like on Christmas Day in OKC? See 2024 Christmas forecast

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

What will the weather be like on Christmas Day in OKC? See 2024 Christmas forecast

Oklahoma City won’t have a white Christmas in 2024, but we also won’t be breaking any high temperature records.

Here’s what you need to know about the Christmas forecast in OKC and across Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Christmas 2024 forecast

According to the National Weather Service, it will be cloudy but dry on Christmas Day in Oklahoma.

A chance of rain will increase in the late evening hours.

Here are the forecasted highs and lows across central, western and northern Oklahoma:

Oklahoma City: Low of 44°F, high of 52°F
Enid: Low of 36°F, high of 50°F
Lawton: Low of 46°F, high of 57°F
Woodward: Low of 30°F, high of 52°F
Ada: Low of 46°F, high of 56°F

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Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma State DC Bryan Nardo Expected to Join Charlotte Staff

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Former Oklahoma State DC Bryan Nardo Expected to Join Charlotte Staff

Oklahoma State’s former defensive coordinator is wasting no time finding another gig.

On Monday, Doug Samuels of FootballScoop reported that Bryan Nardo is expected to join the defensive staff at Charlotte. One of the most recent teams to jump to the FBS level, Charlotte could soon be adding a coach with Big 12 experience.

Nardo spent the past two seasons in Stillwater as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. While his first season wasn’t necessarily the most impressive, it seemed his adjustments and overall scheme were key in OSU’s ascension to a 10-win season and Big 12 Championship appearance.

However, everything fell apart for Nardo in year 2. With the Cowboys ranking among the bottom 10 in the FBS in most statistical categories, OSU’s defense was the main issue in the team’s winless Big 12 campaign.

However, not all of the blame for OSU’s three-win season can be placed on Nardo. OSU’s offense also struggled mightily throughout the season, but the injuries piling up for the OSU defense sealed Nardo’s fate.

With future NFL players Collin Oliver and Nick Martin not playing a snap after September, the Cowboys were without their anchors and other injuries piled up from there. With a myriad of backups and players not playing in their natural positions, Nardo had no true opportunities to run his desired scheme. Still, OSU’s horrendous rankings and results on the field were still too much to overlook as the team overhauled virtually its entire staff this offseason.

With Nardo heading east, the Cowboys hired Todd Grantham as his replacement shortly after the position opened. Nardo is also not the first former OSU defensive coordinator to head to Charlotte.

After being let go following the 2017 season, Glenn Spencer went to Charlotte and was its defensive coordinator for the 2018 season.

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