Eric Maynor looks like himself in Thunder's loss

“It takes you a couple of games (to trust the knee),” said Perkins, who famously fell victim to his own knee injury in Game 6 of the 2010 Finals. “But once you get the rhythm, it just takes that one breakout game before you get back to going.”

Maynor has had better performances this preseason than his 13-point, two-assist effort against the Bulls. But playing without Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who also got the night off, Maynor and the Thunder were short on threats to keep Chicago's swarming defense in check.

More importantly, Maynor's range of motion and mobility has returned. Neither seemed burdensome even while covering a bigger, stronger guard in Kirk Hinrich or a smaller, quicker guard in Nate Robinson. Maynor fought over ball screens and chased his man on off-ball screens. He changed direction without hesitation and attacked with confidence when necessary.

“He still dictates the game, looks for his shot when he's open and makes great decisions,” Harden said. “Obviously he has to get back into a feel. But these last few weeks he's done a great job of getting there. And I think as time goes on he's going to feel more comfortable out there on the court.”