Dennis Schroder to leave NBA bubble for birth of his second child

Sixth Man of the Year candidate Dennis Schroder plans on leaving the bubble whenever his wife goes into labor, which is projected to happen in “three to four weeks,” according to Schroder himself.

This timeline means that the best-case scenario for the Thunder and Schroder would be he playing most, if not all, of the remaining eight regular-season games before having to leave.

If Schroder were to return to the team eventually, he would need to be self quarantined for ten days before being able to reenter the bubble.

In all likelihood, Schroder will understandably not return to the bubble, and the Thunder will have to continue their season without him.

Schroder has been having a career season with Oklahoma City, averaging 19 points per game on a career-high 57.3 TS% with 4.1 assists a game. Schroder has been viewed as a Sixth Man of the Year favorite as he has provided value as a competent scoring and play-making guard off the bench for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City is 9.3 points per 100 possessions better than the opposition when Schroder is on the court and is part of the infamous Three Guard lineup that has the second-highest Net Rating in the league among Three Player lineups at 28.6 this season.

From a basketball perspective, this would be a massive blow to the Thunder’s odds of winning a playoff series. Schroder has been one of the Thunder’s best players this season, and his scoring production and play-making abilities off the bench will be sorely missed.

From a human perspective, this is excellent news for Schroder and his wife as they prepare to welcome their second child to the world. I am sure I speak for all of us here at WTLC as we wish him and his wife congrats to the birth of their second child and wish them well in health.