Andre Roberson isn’t the only one that Billy Donovan is keeping a close eye on.
The Thunder head coach decided to keep Danilo Gallinari out of Thursday’s game against the New Zealand Breakers, according to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman.
“It was probably a good time for him, come back and have some good practice this weekend,” Donovan said.
Maddie Lee, also of The Oklahoman, reported that Donovan is “managing minutes” for Gallinari, as well as Thunder point guard Chris Paul.
Paul and Gallinari both only played 17 minutes in Oklahoma City’s 119-104 win over Dallas Tuesday.
Even in limited time, both Paul and Gallinari proved why they are going to be a crucial part of OKC’s offensive plan this season. Paul scored six points, dished out four assists and grabbed three rebounds. Gallinari, meanwhile, was a rebound shy of a double-double, scoring ten points and pulling down nine rebounds.
Without Gallinari in the starting lineup, Donovan went with Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Terrance Ferguson, Darius Bazley, and Steven Adams Thursday.
Roberson, on the other hand, has yet to see game time despite being back to practice with no restrictions. Donovan chose to hold the 27-year-old out of Sunday’s Blue & White Scrimmage, before resting him Tuesday. Roberson was a game-time decision Thursday before ultimately being ruled out as he continues to work back from a ruptured left patellar tendon suffered in January 2018.
