The Thunder beat the Celtics 98-84 in their first scrimmage before the NBA restart.
The score didn’t make sense, but a lot was learned from the first OKC game in over four months.
Here are five conclusions:
Roberson returns
Andre Roberson received a great ovation from the Thunder bench when he registered with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter. The work Roberson put in to return from a 909-day break was recognized by his teammates, few of whom had played with him.
“Man, there were a lot of emotions,” said Roberson. “Eager, happy, too ecstatic just to go back to that floor and hear the Coach shout my name to get into the game.”
Although it was only a practice game, it was Roberson’s first competitive game since the patellar tendon ruptured in his left knee on January 27, 2018.
Roberson played 12 minutes, all in the second half, and was not under minute restrictions, coach Billy Donovan said.
Roberson displayed some of the skills that Thunder fans remember. He deflected a pass for a steal, and nailed a shot to the board for a block.
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