Just 4.6 seconds remained when Reggie Jackson first grabbed the ball on the in-bounds pass. He dribbled to the three-point line, saw his defender back up and rose up for a three-pointer.
The ball dangled in the air, hovered over the rim, rattled off of the back of the iron and popped out. What would have been a game-winning bucket fell to the floor, and along with it, so did Jackson. He wasn’t there for longer than a split second when two Thunder teammates rushed to pick him up, disregarding the final scoreboard that showed a 94-92 loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
What mattered instead was picking up their brother who had just given his all, like they had. The Thunder knows the key to perseverance is sticking together, and after the loss even the man who missed the game-winner was able to stand and deliver that message.
“We’ve been battling with everybody and been close in every game,” Jackson said. “It’s only a matter of time. If we keep believing we’ll get over this hump.”
Ultimately the Thunder looks back not at the missed shot, but at the opportunities it had throughout the course of the game to put itself in a better position in the closing minutes. After building a ten-point lead, Head Coach Scott Brooks’ team allowed the Nets to claw back and eventually take an eight-point advantage with under two minutes remaining.
Defensive stop after defensive stop by the Thunder gave Jackson a chance to win it, but too many fouls during the course of the game and not even shots falling from behind the arc or at the free throw line built just enough cushion for Brooklyn to enjoy.
“We couldn’t get to the free throw line and we got them to the free throw line 30 times,” Brooks said. “This is a team that doesn’t shoot a lot of free throws, so those are the breaks that we have to continue to fight through.”
The Thunder made just 12-of-19 free throws on the night while Brooklyn got into the bonus early in both the third and fourth quarters, knocking down 27-of-30 attempts at the charity stripe.
Jackson led the Thunder with 21 points and eight assists, but he was joined in double figures by Serge Ibaka who had a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, Anthony Morrow who had 11 points and Steven Adams who finished with 10.
Standing in front of his locker, however, Jackson’s eyes drifted from locker to locker as he identified every single teammate one-by-one and pointing out the impact they had on giving the Thunder a chance to win. Win or lose, it’s a collective effort and everyone is essential, and even in the face of adversity, the Thunder is completely buying into that philosophy.
“We’re all starting to lose ourselves in the team and are playing well,” Jackson said. “It’s now coming to a point where we have to find a way to defend for all 48 and not have lapses.”
“I love the team that I’m able to coach,” Brooks said. “We compete, we play for each other and we’re a competitive group.”
Roberson Returning
Andre Roberson returned to the Thunder lineup on Wednesday in Denver in just a short stint, but played 22 minutes on Friday night as he continues to get back to full health after a foot sprain. Right away, the lanky, second-year shooting guard made his presence felt in a way Thunder fans are accustomed to seeing. He finished with four points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks, but what his box score won’t show is the harassing defense he played on Joe Johnson and Deron Williams along the perimeter to help the Thunder keep the Nets in check for most of the game.
“(Roberson) brings defensive toughness, which we like,” Brooks said. He brings length. He battled. The 22 minutes that he played, he competed every possession.”
“You want guys who are going to compete every possession,” Brooks continued. “You can’t give up a possession because what happens is they make a three or get a layup, then they get hot. We have to have guys out there who are going to compete every second of every play.”
Stats of the Night
8 – Assists for Reggie Jackson, who also racked up 21 points, four rebounds and two steals
18 – Combined blocked shots and steals for the Thunder on the night, which got nine of each
21 – Second chance points for the Thunder, thanks to 13 offensive rebounds, including five by Serge Ibaka
The Final Word
“The game tonight could have easily gone our way, but I’m proud of the guys’ effort. I know they give everything they have and that’s all I can ask for. We’re going to keep battling, we’re going to keep fighting, we’re going to keep playing for each other and hopefully things turn our way.” – Head Coach Scott Brooks