In two games back from injury, Noel hasn't missed a beat
Recap: Thunder 119, Trail Blazers 106 Five takeaways from the Thunder's win against the Trail Blazers Chris Paul dazzles in Thunder's blowout win against Trail Blazers Thunder showcases a bright future thanks to its youth in 119-106 win vs. Trail Blazers
Chris Paul drove into the paint and threw a one-handed pass to Nerlens Noel, who was wide open.
Noel dunked the ball to put the Thunder up 43-37 over the Trail Blazers in the second quarter of what would become a 119-106 win Saturday night.
“I think we were just playing freely,” Noel said. “Getting back to moving the ball and just playing within our system.”
Shorthanded Portland was forced to play Carmelo Anthony at center for part of the second quarter, and the Thunder went right at the mismatch with Noel and Steven Adams.
For Noel, it was a continuation his strong performance since returning Friday from a left ankle sprain. He missed six games with the injury.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Noel’s conditioning may have been affected Friday, from sitting out for two weeks. But the backup center played 21 and 19 minutes on Friday and Saturday, respectively. He scored in double figures in both games and added a combined five blocks.
![Nerlens Noel (9) dunks the ball during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. [Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman]](http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-abd376efee37da70651a8c8421f3360d.jpg)
Maddie Lee followed an NBA team from Seattle to Oklahoma City, she just took a 10-year detour in between. Lee joined the Oklahoman in October 2018 as a Thunder beat writer, fresh off a stint in Oxford, Miss., where she covered Ole Miss for the... Read more ›