Chris Youngblood shines despite OKC Blue’s crushing loss to Magic’s G League affiliate
The Oklahoma City Blue faced another setback on Saturday, succumbing to the Magic’s G League affiliate for the second straight game. This defeat extends their losing streak to four, following a challenging sweep against the Austin Spurs and the Osceola Magic. Despite the Blue’s current record of 4-8, this rough patch can be attributed to both a difficult schedule and significant roster challenges.
Roster Challenges and Tough Opponents
The Blue have been battling injuries and absences, with numerous players sidelined and even taking the court with just six active participants in one game. On Saturday, they managed to dress only eight players, a situation that has tested their depth. The Spurs, currently boasting an impressive 9-1 record, and the Magic at 8-3, are among the league’s elite, making the Blue’s struggles even more understandable given the circumstances.
Youngblood’s Stellar Performance
Despite the team’s challenges, one player who continues to impress is Chris Youngblood. The Oklahoma City Thunder two-way guard has been finding his rhythm in the G League, showing flashes of his potential. In Saturday’s game, Youngblood was a standout, contributing 26 points, three assists, and three rebounds in 33 minutes on the floor. His shooting was particularly noteworthy, hitting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and finishing 8-of-16 overall. Remarkably, he maintained a +1 plus-minus rating, a bright spot in a 139-123 loss.
Youngblood was the only two-way player available for this matchup, as many Thunder players were preparing for their upcoming game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While Youngblood shone brightly, he wasn’t the only player making an impact. Summer league standout Zack Austin led the scoring for the Blue with 29 points, complemented by three steals, an assist, and a rebound, while also shooting 5-for-10 from three-point range. Cameron Brown also contributed significantly off the bench, adding 23 points, including five three-pointers from eight attempts, along with three rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes.
The Blue saw six of their eight players reach double-digit scoring, with Anthony Pritchard contributing 10 points, Viktor Lakhin adding 12, and former Thunder forward Malevy Leons making his mark with an impressive 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Looking Ahead
The Oklahoma City Blue will look to turn the tide as they continue their extensive home stand, with their next game scheduled against the Squadron on Thursday, December 11. With the team set to remain at home until the new year, they will aim to regroup and capitalize on their home court advantage to get back into the win column.
