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DETROIT — Jalen Duren punched the ball through the rim, effectively delivering the knockout blow in the process.
And as OKC's exhausted players walked off the floor, they extended their hands to high-five their teammates on the bench. But there weren't enough of them for everyone.
The Thunder's second unit was only four deep by the end of its 124-116 road loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. OKC was already short-handed entering the highly-anticipated matchup between the NBA's top two teams, and its numbers dwindled even more once Isaiah Joe (left glut contusion) and Branden Carlson (low back soreness) exited the game during the first half and did not return.
That was too much for OKC (45-15) to overcome despite some monster performances from multiple players. Jaylin Williams (30 points), Cason Wallace (23 points), Aaron Wiggins (20 points) and Jared McCain (20 points) all scored at least 20 points in the loss.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Jaylin Williams stood tall after early injury scare
After coming up limping on a layup midway through the first quarter, Williams hobbled toward the bench.
The discomfort was all over the big man's face, which usually sports a smile. But Williams never sat in his seat during the ensuing timeout. He stood the entire time, jumping up and down to put some weight on his left leg.
The Thunder already had enough guys sitting. It was without fellow frontcourt players Chet Holmgren (low back spasms) and Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), hence why Williams got the starting nod. And it wouldn't have had much of a leg to stand on if he was also sidelined.
So Williams walked back onto the court once the timeout ended, and he continued to deliver some much-needed production throughout the night.
Williams helped facilitate OKC's offense with his playmaking. He spaced the floor with his 3-point shooting. And he put his conditioning to the test on a night when Carlson also exited the game due to low back soreness and didn't return.
Williams finished with a career-high 30 points to go along with 11 rebounds and four assists on 9-for-14 shooting from the field (5 for 10 from deep) in 35 minutes.
Jalen Duren was a workhorse down low
It isn't often that Detroit gets outworked in The Motor City, and yet that's exactly what happened during the first quarter.
The Thunder racked up 14 second-chance points compared to the Pistons' zero. That helped it claim a 34-22 lead, stunning the Little Caesars Arena crowd.
But when Detroit looked to rev up its offense to start the second quarter, it turned to its workhorse center. Duren began to enforce his will down low, and there wasn't much OKC could do without its usual rim protectors.
Duren erupted for 10 points in the quarter, including a viscous alley-oop dunk over a helpless Wiggins. And he ultimately ended the night with 29 points and 15 rebounds, five of which were offensive boards.
That helped Detroit win the offensive rebounding battle 16-12, although OKC won the second-chance points battle 30-17.
OKC should get some reinforcements soon
OKC announced on Feb. 19 that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain) and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain) would be re-evaluated in approximately one week. Thursday will mark seven days since then.
Holmgren (low back spasms), Hartenstein (right soleus injury management) and Alex Caruso (left ankle sprain) also played in OKC's road win over Toronto on Tuesday. They missed Wednesday's game on what marked the second night of a back-to-back, although that appears to be precautionary.
OKC could certainly use the extra bodies when it hosts Denver at 8:30 p.m. CST Friday. It's the second meeting of the season between the Western Conference heavyweights.
Tip-ins
∎ Isaiah Joe (left glut contusion) and Branden Carlson (low back soreness) exited the game in the first half and did not return.
∎ OKC was also without Alex Caruso (left ankle sprain), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus injury management), Chet Holmgren (low back spasms), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain).
∎ Detroit was without Bobi Klintman (G League assignment), Chaz Lanier (G League assignment), Wendell Moore Jr. (G League two-way) and Isaiah Stewart (league suspension).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder vs. Nuggets
TIPOFF: 8:30 p.m. Friday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (ESPN)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder falls short to Jalen Duren, Pistons as OKC's injuries pile up