BOSTON – Reggie Jackson still doesn’t own a car. He drives a Hyundai on a sweetheart lease with an Oklahoma City dealership. He’d use a moped, but understands that’s probably a bad idea. He shops for his clothes on the Macy’s and H&M clearance racks, forever searching for the double markdown – red sticker clumped upon red sticker.

View photos Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson had 28 points and eight assists against Boston on Wednesday night. (USA TODAY Sports) More

“I just need to look presentable on the walk from the bus into the arena,” Jackson told Yahoo Sports. “My goal every day, basically, is to not get fined for the dress code. I’ve never needed much.

“I’m a minimalist.”

The minimalist point guard for the minimalist roster. For several more weeks, Oklahoma City must do more with less, and Jackson’s the perfect player to hold together this season. Thrust into one of the NBA’s most pivotal positions, Jackson’s the performer tasked with the biggest burden in building a bridge from playoff possibility to the return of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

On the end of a back-to-back on Wednesday night, Jackson had 28 points, eight assists and only one turnover in the Thunder’s 109-94 victory over the Celtics. He had gone for 29 points and four assists on Tuesday in Milwaukee, but the Thunder lost and these days and weeks are a relentless race against time. The Western Conference is unforgivable, and the Thunder still need to be closer to 50 victories than 40 to reach the playoffs.

“There’s an understanding, deep in back of our minds, that we have to stay afloat, that we have to tread water,” Jackson told Yahoo Sports. “For us, it’s about getting into the playoffs now. The seeding doesn’t matter. If we can get to the playoffs, we’ll be better for this.”

For Jackson, 24, the transformation from sixth man to an impact starter is validating everything that NBA executives and coaches suspected: He could be a star. Jackson turned down a lucrative, rookie contract extension in October, and he’s determined to be a starter in the NBA.

He’s generating a market value that’ll test the Thunder’s resolve in restricted free agency this summer. Every night, executives examine Jackson, and his offer sheet possibilities are climbing into the $13 million to $14 million range. As one Eastern Conference executive told Yahoo Sports: “He’s a bigger Eric Bledsoe – and probably better.”

For now, Jackson’s set those summer scenarios aside, sidestepping free-agency questions to discuss the way in which he’s immersed himself into this season, this spectacular struggle. For Thunder general manager Sam Presti, Jackson is one more prospect he scouted properly, drafted, developed and ultimately has to find a way to retain, even when he’s probably outgrown his role and financial affordability in Oklahoma City.

“All the eyes of my teammates, in all moments, are locked in on me now,” Jackson told Yahoo. “They’re looking for direction. It’s been difficult losing some of these close games, but I couldn’t imagine fighting alongside any other guys. I love that we’re not making excuses. I love this challenge of dealing with the disappointment, the challenge of going to sleep thinking about how I can help my teammates and waking up still thinking the same things: ‘How can we win?’

“I love putting that pressure on myself. I love being relied upon for so much. I love being the leader out there, being the coach’s eyes, be part of the chess game.”

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