Thunder notebook: Thunder’s next game undecided

> “ELLEN” APPEARANCE

On Wednesday’s Ellen DeGeneres Show, Rumble the Bison helped Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth surprise the host with a variety of Thunder merchandise and collectibles. Two courtside seats were also included and, in collaboration with the show, fans can bid on the tickets to attend an upcoming Thunder playoff game. All proceeds will benefit The Gentle Barn, one of Ellen’s favorite charities.

Fans can log on to thunder.nba.com to bid. The date, time and opponent are yet to be determined and will be mutually agreed upon between the winner and the Thunder. The auction will conclude Saturday.

BIG-LEAGUE SUPPORT

Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn, an Ada native, has become a self-proclaimed Thunder “super fan.”

Before the Thunder arrived three years ago, “I couldn’t have told you anything (about the NBA),” Blackburn admitted.

Blackburn and his wife, Alicia, were introduced to pro basketball when the New Orleans Hornets temporarily relocated here in 2005-06 after Hurricane Katrina and got hooked after attending their first Thunder game.

The 29-year-old Blackburn became a season-ticket holder and owns Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook jerseys.

Blackburn’s story is profiled on w.espn.com.

CANCEL THAT ORDER

The Nuggets will have to cancel — perhaps refund — those fans who ordered tickets for Game 6 at the multiple bequests of the public address announcer inside the Pepsi Center who implored them to do so during and after Game 4 on Monday night.

TIEBREAKER

With the Thunder victory, the No. 4 vs. No. 5 playoff series now stands at 28-27 entering this season since the NBA began its current playoff system in 1984.

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