Perfect group play. Now, the Thunder chase a return trip to the NBA Cup Finals, facing familiar foes and challenging matchups.
For the second straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won their NBA Cup Group. OKC went a perfect 4-0 over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Which means that for the second straight season, the Thunder have advanced to the Knockout Round of NBA Cup play.
The Thunder are one of eight teams remaining. OKC is joined by the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat.
OKC made it all the way to the NBA Cup Finals last year and ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the championship game. The path to a repeat appearance is now set. First up is a rematch with a team from their Group West A play.
Game 1: Quarter Final vs Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker and friends gave Loud City a bit of a scare last Friday in Oklahoma City. The Thunder held on for a 123-119 win and clinched Group West A due to some trademark Shai Gilgeous-Alexander late game heroics, but the Suns fought from 12 points down to make it a 1 point contest with under two minutes to go in the game. OKC did not have Isaiah Hartenstein for that one but there is no guarantee the Thunder's starting center will be back for the rematch. Phoenix did not have Grayson Allen, and the Suns sharpshooter has since returned. Then again, Aaron Wiggins did not play but now he's back in the lineup to possibly save NBA Cup basketball. This will be the only remaining Cup game in Oklahoma City.
Game 2: Semi Final vs Los Angeles Lakers/San Antonio Spurs. If the Thunder manage to take down the Suns, they will meet the winner of the Lakers and Spurs game in Las Vegas. Though it is a neutral site in theory, that supposedly nonpartisan crowd will turn into a Lakers home game if Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves advance. Don't be so quick to count San Antonio out though, even if Victor Wembanyama doesn't return in time for the Quarter Final. The Spurs are an impressive 5-2 without their superstar big man.
Game 3: Finals vs the East winner. If the Thunder repeat as the West representative in the NBA Cup Finals, they will be greeted by either Jalen Brunson, Scottie Barnes, Bam Adebayo or Paolo Banchero. OKC has bigger goals and shinier trophies n mind this season, but the Thunder still feel like they have some unsettled business from last year. And would like to add an NBA Cup next to their Larry O'Brien.