Terrance Ferguson is back in the starting lineup for Oklahoma City.
Billy Donovan announced that Ferguson “was available” prior to tip-off in Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Ferguson had missed the five previous games due to soreness in his right hip.
Because of Ferguson’s absence, coupled with Hamidou Diallo’s elbow injury, Abdel Nader got extended minutes and experience in the starting lineup during Oklahoma City’s recent West Coast road trip.
When asked by Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman if Nader had done enough to earn consistent playing time despite Ferguson’s return, Donovan said that it’s the number of bodies the Thunder has at guard more than anything that determines the minutes Nader will play.
“Sometimes for Abdel it’s been a numbers game more so than anything that he has not done well,” Donovan said. “But I give him credit because some of the injuries we’ve had … the opportunity presented itself.”
Prior to his injury, Ferguson was averaging 5.7 points and shooting 42.4% from the field. In comparison, Nader averaged 10.4 points in his five starts, bringing his season average up to 7.8 points per game while shooting 50.5% from the floor.
However, Ferguson is a more of a defensive stopper than Nader and a presence that the Thunder needs on the floor.
