NEW YORK – With 14.5 seconds left and the Timberwolves needing to make a final stand in overtime Wednesday night at Brooklyn, coach Ryan Saunders turned to Josh Okogie and told him to check in. His assignment was easy to grasp but would be much harder to complete successfully: guard Kyrie Irving.
Everyone in Barclays Center knew Irving was going to try to win the game for the Nets.
Okogie didn't flinch. According to Saunders, Okogie's reply on the bench was, "You got it, Coach."
"That's his reaction because that's the type of competitor he is," Saunders said. "I knew that Kyrie, if he had the ball, he was hopefully not going to get an easy look. I knew Josh was going to try to make it tough, and if Josh was in there making it tough and he makes the shot, you tip your cap to him."
Their caps stayed on their heads.
It was one-on-one, Okogie vs. Irving.
"He had 50 points," Okogie said, "but luckily he was able to miss the shot and we were able to get the win."
Okogie made it hard for Irving, who lost the ball before taking the shot. He gathered the ball again and did get up a jumper, but it missed and the Wolves won 127-126 in their first game of the season.