SGA's MVP-level play, elite defense, and a favorable bracket fuel the Thunder's championship aspirations, defying recent historical trends.
Oklahoma City will face either Golden State or Phoenix in the first round, and Game 1 takes place at 2:30 p.m. Central on April 19.
The last reigning champion to reach the Conference Finals was the 2019 Warriors, so recent history is against the Thunder making a deep playoff run. However, here are the four biggest reasons to be optimistic about Oklahoma City breaking this trend and winning the title.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal as the only players in NBA history to win the scoring title, MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. That’s quite the group. Gilgeous-Alexander has somehow improved his game this year, especially as a playmaker. The champs can count on him to show up when it matters most and out-duel anyone on the planet during clutch time. He’s the most reliable, consistent superstar in the league.
Defense: Oklahoma City comfortably led the NBA in defensive rating for the second straight season. The unit is loaded with elite defenders at all levels, and it’s an extremely cohesive group that rarely blunders rotations or assignments. Versatility is also a key trait. The Thunder can trot out double-big or small-ball lineups, play fast or slow and maintain physicality no matter who is on the court. As a result, Oklahoma City has answers and adjustments for every hypothetical matchup.
Culture and Experience: The Thunder prioritizes process over outcomes and approaches every possession with a “0-0” mentality. Its culture allows the team to stay focused when holding a lead and not panic when trailing. Gilgeous-Alexander’s smile while he walked off the court after losing Game 3 to Denver last playoffs perfectly captures the Thunder’s self-confidence and ability to stay calm and measured.
Plus, Oklahoma City has already fought through adversity in the last two postseasons, especially against Denver in the second round and Indiana in the NBA Finals. The champs are battle-tested and therefore should have an edge against inexperienced teams like San Antonio and Detroit.
Playoff Path: The three biggest threats to the Thunder are the Nuggets, Spurs and Timberwolves. Fortunately, all of them reside on the other side of the bracket where they must cannibalize each other before potentially limping into a series versus Oklahoma City. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s second round matchup is against either a Rockets squad that struggles mightily to score in the half court or a Lakers squad that is dealing with significant injuries and cannot match Oklahoma City’s athleticism.
The playoff bracket broke perfectly for the champs, especially since the Clippers losing in the play-in tournament means the Thunder will receive another lottery pick.