To a certain extent, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still the surprise of the NBA season. With Russell Westbrook and Paul George gone, they weren’t supposed to be a playoff team, even with veteran guard Chris Paul at the helm.
But the Thunder have shown they are for real. They are almost more than a dark horse, because depending on the matchup, they could sneak out of the first round — especially if the standings stay as is.
No fans will be in the stands when the NBA’s season reboots in Orlando beginning July 31. The Thunder, like the other 21 teams in attendance, will only have eight games before the playoffs to try and return back to game shape.
Still, Thunder general manager Sam Presti believes his team will be able to adjust to what will be a different environment in Orlando.
“We’re going in with no preconceived notions other than we’re going to have to be adaptable and we’re going to have to be comfortable with the fact that things are not going to be the way we’re used to them being,” said Presti, per the team’s website.
“I just have a lot of confidence in the group that they’ll respond in those circumstances because they’ve been adjustable and adaptable throughout the year. We’re going to need to do that again,” Presti continued.
Thunder GM Sam Presti Reacts to NBA Return to Play Announcement.
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 8, 2020
If the standings remain as they currently are for the playoffs, the Thunder would play the Utah Jazz in the first round. Before the season ended, the two teams had split the season series at a game apiece.
Paul had a resurgent All-Star season during his first year with the Thunder, averaging 17.7 points per game and dishing 6.8 assists a game. He’s been joined by two quality guards in Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The trio has helped the Thunder be one of the most efficient offenses in the league. According to NBA.com stats, the Thunder rank fifth in field goal percentage (47.3%).
They’ve also been elite late in the game. According to ESPN, Oklahoma City has 16 wins after trailing when entering the fourth quarter this season. That is twice as many as the next-best team this year and only two away from the 1962-63 Lakers team that had the most ever in the shot clock era.
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