Donovan: Schroder Back in the Bubble August 10th.
According to Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, Dennis Schroder has been back in the bubble for two days. During his pre-game media availability on Wednesday, Donovan said that Schroder returned to Orlando on August the 10th.
This news is Important because the NBA has a mandatory four-day quarantine for any player who leaves the Disney campus then comes back. Conceivably Schroder could play in Friday's game against the Clippers were the league were to declare him eligible.
The Thunder still has a chance to take over the fourth seed in the West by winning their next two games and Houston losing their finale to the 76ers. Oklahoma City got some help from the Pacers on Wednesday afternoon when they beat the Rockets 108-104.
The Thunder are 2-2 without Schroder and are missing not only his 19 points a game, but his absence is forcing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort to play point guard when Chris Paul is off the floor.
While both have done an admirable job, Gilgeous-Alexander (One of Oklahoma City's leading scorers) struggled from the field against the Lakers and Grizzlies. Other than Schroder, everybody is good to go for tonight's matchup with the Heat.
Steven Adams missed the Thunder's last three games with a leg contusion, while Nerlens Noel was on the shelf for the against the Wizards and Suns and an ankle sprain. Both will be needed tonight to face 6-9 255 pound Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo hit the Thunder for 21 points and five rebounds when the two teams met in February. Tip-off is set for 7:00 on Fox Sports Oklahoma and 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa.
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With more than 20 years of experience hosting local and national radio shows, Erik Gee is a fixture of Oklahoma sports media. He has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder for the past six seasons. He is also the co-host of the Pat Jones show on 97.1 The Sports Animal in Tulsa.