Three Takeaways from the OKC Thunder’s Thrilling Victory over Denver

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the reigning champion Denver Nuggets 118-117 on the road on Saturday night, bouncing back from their Thursday night loss to the Kings. The Thunder’s successful start to the season continues with OKC’s triumph; with a record of 16-8, the team is now ahead of Mark Daigneault’s squad in the Western Conference standings. Oklahoma City’s win over Denver Friday night becomes

even more significant with a crazy schedule that includes games against the

Clippers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Knicks, and Nuggets once again. These three

lessons can be learned from the Thunder’s exciting victory.

PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS NEED TO BE ADJUSTED

Heading into the season, OKC’s win total on the betting market was set at 46 games. Amongst Thunder and even national media, the team’s win total was a big topic of conversation.

Thunder supporters were enthusiastic to think that their club may again perform above expectations after winning 40

games the previous season despite being a youthful team that was only predicted

to win about 24 games going into the season. Many media members in

Oklahoma City tried to lower expectations by pointing out that it

would be difficult to win six or seven more games in 2023–2024. But thus far,

the Thunder have exceeded expectations once more. Although almost everyone

anticipated OKC to be a strong, competitive squad, a few of

commentators stated that a couple more victories over the previous season and

securing the seventh seed in the Play-In Tournament would be deemed a

successful campaign in the Modern Frontier.

It’s time to acknowledge that Oklahoma City should no longer settle for a Play-In bid after the Thunder demonstrated last night that they can hang with and defeat some of the top NBA clubs. Despite being such a young team, the Thunder have proven that they are a contender in the West with victories against the Warriors, Lakers, and now the Nuggets this season. They should be vying for one of the top six seeds at the end of the season.

OKC’S “BIG 3” CONTINUES TO SET THEMSELVES APART

For a few seasons now, Oklahoma City supporters have been discussing their “young core” and arguing over which players fit that description. Sam Presti has put together a young, talented squad full of interesting, entertaining guys who are making a big impact in the NBA, but the Thunder’s top three players have distinguished themselves this year and did it again on Saturday.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren led the way for Oklahoma City against the Nuggets on Saturday, as they have done numerous times this year. Against Denver, Gilgeous-Alexander ended with a total of 25 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals; Williams finished with 24 points, 3

assists, and 1 steal; and Holmgren concluded with 17 points, 11 rebounds,

and an incredible 9 blocks. The three players listed above have been the

primary forces behind the Thunder’s success this season.

It appears at this point that SGA, Williams, and Holmgren are the team’s obvious leaders and should be the

franchise cornerstones in the new era of Oklahoma City basketball, even though

they are surrounded by an amazing group of role players and a few other

young prospects who still have plenty of potential.

THE THUNDER BENCH CONTINUES TO CONTRIBUTE

OKC’s bench has significantly impacted the team’s success during the entire season. Daigneault and Presti have done a fantastic job of assembling a competitive bench team, whether Davis Bertans is coming into the game to nail jumpers from beyond the arc or Cason Wallace is playing strong defense on one of the finest players in the league. The Thunder bench is made up of a range of players with varying skill sets who have all contributed well to the team’s winning efforts this season. Players like Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams are among the regulars on this bench.

All of these guys have a certain role that they seem to have no trouble fulfilling, even though they are not all producing huge numbers every game. In addition to the bench players already mentioned, Bertans, Tre Mann, and Ousmane Dieng have all performed well this season and represent viable choices for Daigneault in the event of an injury or other emergency. At the end of the season, the Thunder should have enough depth and a strong starting five to contend in a postseason series.

All of these guys have a certain role that they seem to have no trouble fulfilling, even though they are not all producing

huge numbers every game. In addition to the bench players already mentioned,

Bertans, Tre Mann, and Ousmane Dieng have all performed well this season and

represent viable choices for Daigneault in the event of an injury or other

emergency. At the end of the season, the Thunder should have enough depth and

a strong starting five to contend in a postseason series.