Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann is listed as OUT for Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. He's listed as "not with team" as this is an excused absence from the team, per the Thunder.
The Thunder is currently on a five-game win streak, and they've been incredibly lucky when it comes to injuries. On Sunday, though, they'll be without Mann, among others, though there is still no real injuries. Ousmane Dieng will also miss the game as he remains assigned to the G League.
This season, Mann has really embraced the role of being a good teammate. He's consistently seen celebrating with his teammates, even when he hasn't seen playing time for a while.
Mann is averaging a career low 9.2 minutes per game, but he seems to be in the best spirits of his career. When he does get minutes, though, he seems to show the flashes he showed in his rookie season.
After a big game with the Oklahoma City Blue, Mann spoke with the Thunder Wire on his role this season and how he's embraced it.
“Bigger picture, just wanted to be a good teammate all the time,” Mann said to the Thunder Wire. “Supporting the guys, trust in the coaching staff and what their plans are. But really just being a good person and a good teammate.”
The Thunder has a healthy relationship with their G League affiliate, and this helps guys like Mann who are struggling to find rotational minutes on a consistent basis. For Mann, he never knows when his number will be called and playing with the Blue allows him to stay ready mentally and physically.
Mann embracing his role as a team player and supportive teammate goes to show how tight-knit the Thunder is as a team.
“That’s why we’re so close on the court,” Mann said. “People say we play together. … We got other things that we do to bond — hang out, have dog dates, little stuff like that keeps us together and comfortable around each other.”
More must-reads: