Inside The Thunder

Ousmane Dieng Returns to Fold For OKC Thunder

Ousmane Dieng returns from injury for the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the Orlando Magic clash on Thursday, December 19 on TNT. The Thunder get some front court depth back.

Rylan Stiles

Nov 1, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) walks back into position after a break in play during the second quarter at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images
Nov 1, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) walks back into position after a break in play during the second quarter at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images / Brian Murphy-Imagn Images
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This is a big season for Ousmane Dieng. The Oklahoma City Thunder already have a crowded roster when healthy and its wallet full of incoming picks is not getting any lighter. Soon, the Thunder will need to make tough decisions. Though, you want as much data as possible before that point.

That is why, this is a now-or-never season for Dieng. The lottery pick has spent most of his time in the NBA G League since the 2022 NBA Draft, and had the door left open for NBA chances this season due to injuries.

So far this season, Dieng has logged 16 games, posting 11 minutes per game while averaging three points, two rebounds, nearly an assist and a stock per game. The no. 11 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is shooting 34 percent from the floor, 25 percent from 3-point land and 63 percent from the charity stripe.

Oklahoma City saw him go down in his G League debut this season with a fingure injury that has sidelined him since Nov. 24. Now, Dieng is off the injury report signaling he is available for the Thunder tonight against the Orlando Magic.

The Thunder still lack front court depth, with just Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams eating minutes down low.. Oklahoma City could push Dieng out there with its secondary unit to give itself more size and at least a defender that is trusted to stay in front and wall up at the rim, compared to other bench options.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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