Oklahoma City will play at full strength on Friday when they host the Detroit Pistons in the second of a four-game home stand.
That includes Danilo Gallinari.
When Gallinari left Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday night following Oklahoma City’s 109-103 win over the Cavaliers, it looked like it could be Gallo’s final game in OKC.
But Sam Presti stood firm ahead of the trade deadline, and a deal between the Thunder and the Miami Heat fell through, reportedly due to the fact that Gallinari and the Heat could not reach an agreement on an extension.
Gallinari, Shai Gilegous-Alexander, and Chris Paul are all pieces that significantly contributed to the Thunder’s surprising success this season, with Billy Donovan telling ESPN that the younger players on the team have benefitted greatly from Paul’s leadership.
“It would really be a terrible mistake on any young player’s part not to absorb as much information and knowledge as they can from somebody like that,” Donovan said. “I would imagine that those guys, as they get later on in their careers and they’re asked the question, ‘Who’s somebody that impacted you when you were younger?’ I think Chris’ name will probably be the first name that will come out of all those guys’ mouths.”
Derrick Rose is playing the role of knowledgeable veteran for the Pistons in his first season with Detroit.
He recently cracked the starting rotation but has missed the last two games with a groin issue. As of Thursday, he was listed as out with a left hip/adductor strain.
Rose pulled out of the Skills Challenge on Wednesday night, reportedly due to injury.
It was announced Thursday that Gilgeous-Alexander would replace Rose in the Skills Challenge.
The Pistons will also be playing their first game with Andre Drummond, who was traded to Cleveland on Thursday.
