Thunder Fans, Get Your Coffee Ready

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set the embark on a four game road trip up and down the West Coast this week.

And any tenured NBA fan knows what a West Coast trip means. It's time for some late night tips that will cause some droopy eyes and unproductive days at work and school for four mornings.

OKC has recovered remarkably from the rash of long term injuries suffered by Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace by winning four straight games over solid to good teams. The Thunder hope to keep the momentum going but the schedule will present some challenges.

Let's break down the Thunder's upcoming road stand.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers. Tuesday, November 10. 10PM Central.

A nationally televised game tipping off about the same time as many Oklahoma located fans' usual bedtime is going to be cause a hike in night time caffeine usage across the state. The matchup itself may be worth it, though. The Blazers were a surprise 7 seed last year and now the team has arguably their greatest franchise legend back. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Damian Lillard on NBA on NBC is a must watch... unfortunately for Thunder fans who value a good night's sleep. 

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers. Wednesday, November 11. 9PM Central.

How incredibly odd to have a back to back set between the same teams in the same arena only 23 hours apart.  Also strange that OKC will be done visiting a division rival for the rest of the season by the second week of November.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Clippers. Friday, November 13. 9:30PM Central.

Well, if Thunder fans have to stay up past midnight twice in one week to finish their favorite team's games, at least this one is on a weekend. OKC has a chance to go 2-0 in NBA Cup play with a win over Los Angeles. But the Thunder's primary goal when playing the Clippers should just be to get through the game healthy.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings. Sunday, November 15. 8PM Central.

This will be the team's fourth game in six nights. That kind of condensed scheduling is always tougher on the road team. And especially to a depleted squad dealing with fewer healthy bodies to divvy up rotation minutes. That's the bad news for the Thunder. The good news is.. well, it's the Kings.