Blue Rolls Past Stars in Season Opener

ORLANDO, Feb. 11, 2021 – The Oklahoma City Blue (1-0) grabbed a win to start the season against the Salt Lake City Stars (0-2), 118-84, on Thursday.

The Blue’s Antonius Cleveland dropped the first 10 points of the game, igniting a 12-0 run to open the season. Salt Lake City responded, outscoring the Blue 22-10 the rest of the quarter to tie the game at 22. In the second frame, Oklahoma City went on a 25-9 run, taking a 15-point lead into halftime. After the break, the Blue went up by as many as 34 points, holding Salt Lake City to 28.6 percent shooting while outrebounding them 25-12.

Thunder two-way player Moses Brown notched a double-double as he grabbed 17 of Oklahoma City’s 67 rebounds to go along with his 15 points and game-best four blocks.

“I was impressed with our team defense today,” Head Coach Grant Gibbs said. “Guys helping each other, rotating, really trying to protect the rim, and understanding the sacrifice that it takes on each possession from individual guys and as a team. I think we have room to grow there, and that can be something for us to hold onto identity-wise; defending as a team, using our length and being athletic at the rim. We got contributions from a lot of different guys, and I thought guys were ready.”

Five Oklahoma City players scored in double figures. Cleveland led the way with 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, shooting 10-of-16 from the field.

Rob Edwards shot 4-for-7 from behind the arc en route to a 21-point game while Chasson Randle dropped 18 points, shooting 7-of-8 from the field. Thunder assignment player Aleksej Pokuševski contributed nine rebounds and five points and Zavier Simpson dished out a game-leading nine assists.

Paul White led the charge for Salt Lake City, turning in 19 points and grabbing six rebounds.

The Blue will return to action tomorrow for the second game of a back-to-back, facing off against the G League Ignite at 2 p.m. CT inside AdventHealth Arena.