So far poorly embarked in the Western Conference with two defeats to open the season, OKC Blue was reassured against the Stockton Kings (118-100) this Sunday. The Blue was able to count on its only French player available, Jaylen Hoard. The versatile winger started the game as a pivot, standing at 2.03 meters. And it worked out rather well for him, since in this very small-ball major five he compiled 25 points at 10/16 on shots, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 interception in 32 minutes on the floor.
If there was therefore a lesson to be learned from this match, in addition to the versatility of Hoard, it is that a Frenchman can hide another. Indeed, Olivier Sarr, the titular pivot of the Blue, could not hold his place on Sunday. The pivot was recalled by Oklahoma City Thunder, for a new ten-day period in the NBA. Sarr takes advantage of the absence of Isaiah Roby, currently in the health protocol, and by snowball effect, Jaylen Hoard enjoyed the pivot position this Sunday.
Hoard is also able to score effectively: he had, in 2020, finished a game with the Texas Legends with 34 points and 12 rebounds. In the NBA, it was against the … Kings that he had signed his best offensive performance, with 16 points one evening in May 2021.
