PORTLAND – Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson (right hip soreness) is sidelined for OKC's game at Portland Sunday. Abdel Nader will start in his place, Thunder coach Billy Donovan announced before the game.
"We need him," Donovan said of Nader, "to keep him ready, keep giving him confidence."
Donovan said he anticipates Ferguson will sit out Monday at Utah as well.
"I think they're really trying to get some time where that can quiet down," Donovan said. "And I think what they don't want to do is put him in a position where potentially he re-aggravates his hip and it sets him back even further.