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OKC Thunder: Darius Bazley reflects on break from basketball

Joe Mussatto
by Joe Mussatto
Published: Sat, August 29, 2020 4:38 PM Updated: Sat, August 29, 2020 5:06 PM

Thunder rookie Darius Bazley did more listening than talking the last few days. 

"I got an opportunity to see how to lead during difficult times, watching my teammate, Chris (Paul), as well as a handful of other players," Bazley said before Game 5 against the Rockets. "I got to see how to get things done, how to think collectively as a group and to reach one common goal. 

"In this situation we have two common goals, which is to come out here to compete. The other one is to continue to shine a light on social injustice while trying to make a change as well." 

The Thunder will return to the court at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night after a five-day break. 

Game 5 was originally scheduled for Wednesday night, but games were postponed after the Bucks refused to take the court against the Magic. The players' strike was in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

"The past few days, they were a bit hectic so to say, but I think the greatest thing is through it all we stuck together and we were all able to step back, refocus and just reevaluate," Bazley said. "Now, here we are." 

The Thunder, and every other team still inside the bubble, now faces the same challenge of mentally preparing to play. 

"I don't think it'll be that difficult at all," Bazley said. "We have so many great minds, so many different ideas and so many different people that are so passionate about this. We're able to balance the two, and I think balance is key. We're all focused on the game, the task at hand today, and I think that's important." 

Related Photos
Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (middle right) huddles with his team during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (middle right) huddles with his team during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA...

<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-96bb2ce7ebf6b3e3fbd61386a1b283d0.jpg" alt="Photo - Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (middle right) huddles with his team during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports" title="Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (middle right) huddles with his team during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports"><figcaption>Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (middle right) huddles with his team during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
Joe Mussatto

Joe Mussatto joined The Oklahoman in August 2018 to cover OU football, men’s basketball and softball. He previously covered University of Kentucky football and basketball for SEC Country. Mussatto is from Oklahoma City and lives in Norman. Read more ›

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