Ex-Cats

Ex-Cat comes up big off bench, lifts Thunder to win

By Josh Sullivan

July 7, 2018 10:16 PM

Former Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo scored 19 points off the bench in Oklahoma City's 90-76 win over Brooklyn on Saturday. Otto Kitsinger Associated Press

One day after making a quiet debut in the NBA Las Vegas Summer League, former University of Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo made a lot of noise as he led Oklahoma City to a 90-76 win over Brooklyn.

Diallo had just three points and three rebounds in 14 minutes as the Thunder lost Friday's opener. On Saturday, Diallo came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He knocked down both of his three-pointers and added eight rebounds along with two steals.

#ThunderUp @hamidoudiallo attacks the rim with a BANG! He finishes with 19 PTS & 8 REB.@okcthunder beat @BrooklynNets 90-76. pic.twitter.com/s2HpwW2tGd
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2018

19 PTS. 8 REBS.@hamidoudiallo put on a show in the @okcthunder victory. #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/hdYqjd0AxN
— NBA (@NBA) July 8, 2018

In a post-game interview with NBA TV, Daillo was asked about the best advice he ever received from UK Coach John Calipari.

Diallo responded: "Stay ready. Everybody has a different path. You've just got to stay ready and make sure you always believe in and trust your work."

"Stay ready...Make sure you're always ready & trust your work."

"@hamidoudiallo talks best advice he's received from @UKCoachCalipari after his performance in @okcthunder's victory over the Nets! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/enkcPccV9k
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 8, 2018

Ex-Cat Dakari Johnson also pitched in to help the Thunder improve to 1-1 in Las Vegas. Johnson had 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.

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