Can the Thunder Make Noise In the Playoffs?

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        The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most improved teams this season. Since 2020, the Thunder have ended up in the lottery but this season they are looking to make some noise in the playoffs. In the 2022 NBA draft, the Thunder had the second overall pick in the draft and selected 7 foot center Chet Holmgren out of Gonzaga. Unfortunately, Holmgren suffered a foot injury that kept him sidelined for the entire 2022-23 season. The Thunder finished the 2022-23 season in the Play-In Tournament but failed to make the playoffs. 



        This season the Thunder's young core took a huge leap in the development process. For starters, Chet Holmgren has been healthy this season and has played in every game so far for the Thunder. Chet has been great in his first season in the NBA, he is averaging nearly 17 points per game while shooting 53.6% from the field and 38% from three-point range. He's also been averaging 8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Since this is technically Chet's first season in the NBA he is in the race for Rookie of the Year. 



        Another big part in the Thunder's success this season is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has been a scoring machine this season, averaging 30.4 points per game which is third overall in the NBA. It's not just his scoring that has been amazing but also his defense. SGA is in the top 20 of impact defenders this season and averages 2.1 steals per game which is number one overall in the NBA. SGA is also in the MVP conversation, he has a legitimate chance of winning the award and if he does he'll be the first Thunder player to win the MVP award since Russell Westbrook in 2017. 



        The Thunder have gotten great contributions from some of their other young players such as Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams, Josh Giddey, Aaron Wiggins and many others. The Thunder are currently 50-22 which is third in the Western Conference. Despite their great regular season success this year some would be concern with the team's lack of playoff experience. The only players on the roster with any playoff experience are SGA, Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Gordon Hayward (who was acquired at the trade deadline), Bismack Biyombo (signed via. buyout market) and Mike Muscala (signed via. buyout market). Despite their lack of experience the Thunder do seem talented and tough enough to give teams in the Western Conference a rough seven-game series. 
Location: Miami, FL, USA

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