It is with heavy hearts that the Thunder will take the floor at Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight, after learning of the passing of assistant coach Monty Williams’ wife, Ingrid, on Wednesday.
The entire Thunder family – including the players to the coaches to the staff and to the fans – will embrace one another tonight as they collectively grieve.
“I tried to think about what I would say. I love Coach Monty so much,” forward Kevin Durant said. “I feel for him. He’s somebody we all love.”
“I can’t imagine what he’s going through,” added guard Anthony Morrow. “Our hearts are with him right now. I’ve never been through anything like this in basketball.”
Watch: Anthony Morrow Speaks to the Media
Within the Thunder organization, players and coworkers form bonds beyond just coworkers, but as people who care for one another on and off the court. Although the heartbreaking news puts our game of basketball into perspective, the team must go out and compete tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, for whom Williams served as head coach from 2010-2015.
The last time the Thunder played New Orleans this year, the Pelicans were without Anthony Davis and played small the entire game, with three-point shooters spotting up all over the floor. Now with Davis back in the lineup, the Thunder’s job on defense gets much more difficult.
“We have to limit them from running in transition,” forward Kevin Durant said. “Anthony Davis’ rolls to the rim and wide open jump shots he takes, that gets him going. We have to be physical with him, Serge (Ibaka) has to be physical with him and make it tough on him.”
Tonight, with a healthier roster that includes Jrue Holiday, the Thunder expects a more balanced attack. However, one of the top priorities will be to control an area where the Pelicans excelled last time – with stretch forward Ryan Anderson shooting behind the three-point line.
“With Asik they can play bigger and with Anderson they have an ability to play small,” Donovan said. “Certainly, the last time we played them, (Anderson) was a handful for us. He’s a hard cover, especially when they move him down to the power forward spot. He played very well against us.”
Most of all, the Thunder wants to work on its own game in the final day before the All-Star Break, with the chance to get to 40 wins with 28 games remaining. There are certain areas where the team still wants to improve, particularly on the defensive end.
“It’s another chance for us to go out and work on what we do and try to get a win,” forward Nick Collison said. “All year we’ve said it, we’re trying to push toward the end of the season and get our level of play more consistent and become a better basketball team.”
“We know we have to get better,” the veteran forward continued. “Our goal is to be the best team in the league and win all those series you need to win to get a championship. We feel that we’re not there yet so we have work to do.”
Watch: Kevin Durant Addresses the Media Prior to Tonight's Tipoff
Game Day: Coach Donovan