The Oklahoma City Thunder are shorthanded on the wing for the rest of the season, with defensive ace Andre Roberson sidelined as a result of a ruptured patella tendon. In his absence, the club added veteran Corey Brewer to the mix but that — in conjunction with internal options Josh Huestis, Alex Abrines and rookie Terrance Ferguson — still leaves the team without top-flight options when compared to other playoff contenders in the West.
Then, on Thursday evening, the Thunder suffered another loss, when Ferguson collided with big man Steven Adams during the third quarter of a blowout win over the Phoenix Suns.
Terrence Ferguson : 2 points in 11 minutes off the bench (Had to leave the game after he collided with Steven Adams) pic.twitter.com/8SsQQK2S7e
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) March 9, 2018
As you can see, Roberson was almost immediately escorted to the locker room after Adams, Russell Westbrook and others called for the training staff with haste. In the aftermath of the incident, Thunder head coach Billy Donovan indicated he was placed in the concussion protocol, where he continued on Friday.
Billy Donovan says Terrance Ferguson is in the concussion protocol. Further evaluation tomorrow.
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) March 9, 2018
Terrance Ferguson has a concussion and is in the league’s concussion protocol. No timetable, as his return to play is based on him reaching certain league-mandated benchmarks.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 9, 2018
It should be noted that, just as most 19-year-olds, Ferguson has not been particularly effective in limited minutes this season. The rookie swingman certainly possesses considerable upside, but for now, his minutes were largely a function of exploration by Donovan. Even with Roberson out, there is real thought that Ferguson isn’t the best option when it comes to winning games in the present.
Still, removing another option from the equation places even more pressure on players like Huestis, Abrines and Brewer and that could leave Oklahoma City with more difficult decisions in the future. It remains to be seen just how long Ferguson will be sidelined, but for now, he is unavailable as the Thunder approach their next game on Saturday against the always dangerous Spurs.
