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Oklahoma City Thunder: Updates on Alex Abrines, Patrick Patterson

By Kenneth Teape

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Abrines #8 of the World Team smiles and looks on during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Alex Abrines #8 of the World Team smiles and looks on during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Abrines and power forward Patrick Patterson are both dealing with injuies, but are progressing towards a return to the court.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had one of the better offseasons of any organization in the NBA. They suffered a big blow last offseason when Kevin Durant left to join the Golden State Warriors; replacing a superstar is never easy. When you have one remaining, as the Thunder did with Russell Westbrook, it makes it a little easier to overcome.

This offseason the Thunder did an excellent job of improving the roster around Westbrook. The biggest and most shocking addition was Paul George. With a legitimate one-two punch between Westbrook and George, the Thunder will be very difficult to stop.

Not only did the Thunder add another legitimate superstar to the roster, they added depth and talent elsewhere as well. The Thunder will need some time to develop chemistry with all their new faces, but the biggest obstacle facing Oklahoma City, like any other team, is injuries.

If the Thunder want to realize their potential, staying healthy is key. With training camp right around the corner, the Thunder already have two players injured; shooting guard Alex Abrines and free agent addition Patrick Patterson.

Abrines and Patterson should both be rotation players for the Thunder this season. Abrines will factor into the backcourt, potentially as the starting shooting guard. Patterson should be the starting power forward, health permitting.

Abrines and Patterson are both recovering from injuries. The Thunder does not have timetables for either player to return, but Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman says that both players are progressing towards a return to the court.

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Abrines has returned to Oklahoma City after some time overseas. He was a part of the Spain team for the FIBA EuroBasket tournament but did not last long. Abrines injured his knee, missing all by one game in the tournament.

Abrines’ knee injury is not considered serious. However, the Thunder do not have a clear understanding of the extent of the injury or how long he will be sidelined.

If Abrines is forced to miss time during training camp and the preseason, there will be minutes opened up for other people to take advantage of. One player to keep an eye on would be rookie Terrance Ferguson.

Ferguson will probably be brought along slower now that George is in town, but if Abrines is sidelined for an extended period of time, Ferguson could step into the lineup given his 3-and-D potential.

While there is still some mystery surrounding Abrines, the Thunder have a clearer picture of what Patterson is dealing with. Patterson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Aug. 10. Patterson did not have any structural damage, calling the procedure a proactive one.

No timetable was offered on Patterson, but he was set to be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks. We are in the sixth week since the operation, so he should get some information about it soon. Patterson has been rehabbing the injury in Oklahoma City, so the team should have a good idea of how things are going.

The Thunder have their Media Day on Monday, Sept. 25, with training camp beginning the day after that. Oklahoma City is hoping Abrines and Patterson are able to join sooner than later, but won’t push them if they aren’t ready.

Next: Oklahoma City Thunder Complete 2017 Offseason Grades

The season is a marathon, not a sprint. If the Thunder are going to reach the goal they have set for themselves, they will want Abrines and Patterson healthy in April and May instead of pushing through an injury in October and Novemeber.

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