The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a remarkable turnaround over the past few years. After finishing the 2021-22 season with a record of 24-58, the team improved to 40-42 in the 2022-23 season, narrowly missing the playoffs. This season, the Thunder has dominated the Western Conference with a record of 57-25, earning the No. 1 seed. This impressive improvement has left fans and analysts wondering how the team managed to achieve such success.
At the beginning of the season, the Thunder was projected to win around 40 games, placing them in the Play-In picture. Despite not being seen as contenders, the team exceeded expectations and got off to a strong start, winning three of its first four games. This early success hinted at the potential for a breakout season for the young Thunder team.
However, Oklahoma City hit a rough patch after its strong start, struggling in the In-Season Tournament and going 5-4 in their first nine games. This led to doubts about whether the team was truly ready to compete in the Western Conference. Despite this, the Thunder went on a six-game winning streak, showing that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Over the next two months, the Thunder maintained their success, bouncing between the top three spots in the West. They avoided any significant losing streaks, ensuring that they remained competitive with the other top teams in the conference. Following the NBA All-Star break, the team continued to perform well, winning 12 of their next 15 games and briefly holding the No. 1 seed in the West.
In late March, the Thunder faced some adversity with injuries to key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. This led to a three-game losing streak, causing the team to drop to the third seed in the conference. However, the Thunder rallied and won their final five games, securing the No. 1 seed after a tense final day of the regular season. Now, the team prepares to face an unknown opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
Overall, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s surprising rise to the top of the Western Conference has been fueled by strong performances throughout the season. Despite facing challenges and injuries along the way, the team has managed to overcome adversity and secure the top seed heading into the playoffs. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the postseason to see if the Thunder can continue their success and make a deep playoff run.
