- Oklahoma City Thunder were travelling to Chicago from Minnesota on Friday
- Thunder were beaten for the second time in a week 119-116 at Minnesota
- The NBA side were travelling to Chicago ahead of Saturday’s Bulls clash
- During their flight a bird struck the airline leaving a significant dent in the plane
- Delta Airlines have reported that all passengers and staff are safe
Oklahoma City Thunder endured an unorthodox journey after their defeat by Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, as their Delta flight is left dented after reportedly striking a bird.
Narrowly missing out in Minnesota for the second time within a week – by three points on this occasion – Oklahoma were beaten 119-116 to follow up their two-point defeat suffered on Sunday.
The Thunder team were travelling to Chicago ahead of Saturday night’s clash with the Bulls but experienced issues with their plane.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s airline suffered an unusual collision on their journey to Chicago
The team’s Delta Airlines carrier suffered a mid-air problem that saw the front of its nose crushed after colliding with a bird, according to sources at Delta.
Victoria Wolf, a Delta Airlines spokesperson, has said: ‘Delta flight 8935, operating from Minneapolis to Chicago-Midway as a charter flight for the Oklahoma City Thunder, likely encountered a bird while on descent into Chicago.
‘The aircraft, a Boeing 757-200, landed safely without incident; customers have since deplaned and maintenance is evaluating. Safety is Delta’s top priority.’
Small forward Carmelo Anthony was left bewildered by the incident as he took to Instagram, writing: ‘What possibly could we have hit in the SKY at this time of night? Everyone is Safe, Though. ‘All Praise Due’.’
Power forward Josh Huestis was also baffled by the state of the carrier, writing on Twitter: ‘I guess we hit something? 30,000 feet up…’
But despite the calamitous dent that now sits on the front of one of Delta’s carriers, it has been confirmed that all passengers and staff were unharmed and were safe.
Meanwhile, Thunder will need to recover their focus as they face a trip to a Bull’s side that have lost three of their opening four regular season games, with their 91-86 victory over Atlanta Hawks ending a three game losing streak.