In Svi Mykhailiuk’s first game with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he focused on ball movement. He didn’t want to disrupt the flow. He just wanted to learn how his teammates play and how he could fit in.
In Mykhailiuk’s second game, he played a more active and aggressive role in the offense. I see how you guys play, he seemed to say; now here’s how I can contribute.
In the third game, he made clear that he hadn’t shown quite everything he could do for the Thunder in the previous game.
Against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, Mykhailiuk erupted to throw down a monster slam that surprised Thunder Twitter.
SO.
SVI CAN DO THIS. pic.twitter.com/Misf5ZmUNf
— 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙤𝙥𝙨 (@BoomtownHoops) March 23, 2021
I had no idea Svi Mykhailiuk could dunk like that.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) March 23, 2021
Had no idea Svi had a dunk like that in his bag.
Thunder traded away Hamidou Diallo for Hamidou Diallo.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 23, 2021
Svi is literally the Ukrainian Lebron
— Charles Coryell (@coryell_charlie) March 23, 2021
So svi gets a poster and ty pulls up from the logo? WHAT IS HAPPENING
— Richie (@Richie94204990) March 23, 2021
Svi better get a dunk contest invite 👀
— ℤ𝕖𝕓𝕠 ☔️ (@Dub_Zebo) March 23, 2021
SVI JUST ENDED YOUR CAREER
— Stan SGA Boomer Sooner (Hunter Harjo) (@hunterharjo7) March 23, 2021
That Svi Dunk reminded me of this Abrines dunk, they both came out of nowhere pic.twitter.com/ibkkYCGd8j
— Jarambe⚡️ (@JarambeOKC) March 23, 2021
It was the highlight of the first half. At the break, the Thunder led 57-50 behind 13 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 12 from Ty Jerome off the bench.
Mykhailiuk had two points, two steals and an assist at halftime.
They outpaced Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 15 points in the first quarter but was unable to score in the second. He injured what appeared to be his left wrist during the first quarter, finished out that period and then returned in the second with the wrist taped.
Tune to FOX Sports Oklahoma for the conclusion of the game between the Thunder (18-24) and the Timberwolves (10-32)
This post originally appeared on OKCThunderWire. Follow us on Facebook!
