Scott Brooks considering Russell Westbrook-Reggie Jackson backcourt for OKC Thunder next season

By Chris Walder | Jun 1, 2014

Apr 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) congratulates Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) after a made shot against the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the 2014 NBA postseason after a Game 6 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at home on Saturday night, but that doesn’t mean head coach Scott Brooks can’t start looking towards next year and the possibility of making some changes.

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A starting backcourt of Reggie Jackson and Russell Westbrook had some success in the late stages of the series, combining for 55 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the final game. Brooks will consider moving Jackson into the lineup permanently over Thabo Sefolosha next season, per Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman.

Sounds like Scott Brooks is open to the possibility of a Russ-Reggie backcourt next season: "Reggie can play both positions, as can Russ."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 1, 2014

Jackson averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes coming off the bench for the Thunder during the regular season. Those numbers fell to 11.1 points, 2.4 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 0.3 steals in 27.9 minutes during the playoffs, but he was still a worthy contributor in Brooks’ rotation.

The 24-year-old out of Boston College replaced Sefolosha in the lineup after the Swiss guard failed to score on 0-of-5 shooting in a 112-77 Game 2 loss. He averaged just 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds during the playoffs.

A sprained ankle troubled Jackson in Game 4 and beyond, but it wasn’t enough to keep him on the sidelines and away from such a pivotal matchup.

“It’s not really a big deal,” Jackson told Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman before Game 5. “I think a lot of people about this time (of the postseason) have a bum ankle or a ding up. Just play through it.”