The Oklahoma City Thunder will likely not have the season they expected or wanted.
They were very excited when they drafted newcomer Chet Holmgren back in June, thinking he could be the missing piece that put them back in playoff contention.
But then Holmgren injured himself and will sit out the entirety of the year.
That means that 2022-23 will be another rebuilding one for the Thunder.
However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some bright spots in it.
Lu Dort in 18 minutes tonight:
23 PTS
8-15 FG
4-9 3PThat $87.5 million contract looking great. pic.twitter.com/VKRw11ndSb
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 10, 2022
For example, if Luguentz Dort continues to play as he has been in the preseason then OKC could actually have something to be excited about.
In just 18 minutes on the floor during a preseason game against the Israel National League’s Maccabi Ra’anana on Sunday, Dort put up 23 points.
He was 8-of-15 with his field goal attempts and scored nearly half of his three-pointers too.
Dort has been part of the Thunder for three years now but will 2022-23 be the season when he really shines?
The Dort Knight Rises
Dort’s career average is 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Therefore, his performance in the preseason game listed above is quite impressive and shows that he is actually possibly getting better as he enters his fourth year in the league.
Dort is just one of the young, promising stars on the Thunder’s roster.
But it’s unlikely they will get very far even with a few great up-and-comers on the team.
The West is just too loaded and the Thunder are too young and too inexperienced to have an impact in the playoffs.
Still, they could be good in a few more years and, until then, they will be a blast to watch.
Especially if Dort keeps playing this way.
NEXT: Chet Holmgren Has A Simple Message While He's Out