The Oklahoma City Thunder still have something to prove as we enter the final phase of the regular season.
Oklahoma City is in the midst of its final homestand (five games), and this stretch could make or break the Thunder’s season.
A Pivotal Stretch to End the OKC Thunder Season
On Wednesday night, the Thunder wrapped up its final Eastern Conference road trip (five games) with a loss to the Boston Celtics, snapping its 12-game winning streak. The Thunder now have 16 losses and maintain only a two-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs with eight games remaining.
With the race for the No. 1 seed looking to come down to the final days of the regular season, the Thunder have the opportunity to put together one of their best stretches of the season over the final two weeks of the season. Oklahoma City’s next four games will be at home, followed by a crucial final three-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets, and coming up with some much-needed and big-time victories could do wonders for the Thunder in a variety of ways.
The Thunder opened up this homestand by defeating the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Next up, they will face the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder are an NBA-best 28-9 at home, and there is no better time to continue being the best home team in the league than this final stretch, especially considering this stretch could help secure home-court advantage throughout the postseason for Oklahoma City.
This stretch is important besides just getting the top seed. The Thunder have been heavily impacted by injuries throughout the season, ranking second in missed games due to injury, and they are finally at full strength as they enter this final stretch.
Which means these final handful of games will be pivotal in refining their chemistry and getting key players back in rhythm and up to speed for the playoffs, which are just a few weeks away. No one could benefit from this stretch more than Jalen Williams, who has missed a majority of the season (missing 45 games), and needs as many reps as possible before the playoffs arrive.
After struggling in Boston on Wednesday, only scoring 7 points on 2-of-9 shooting, Williams bounced back at home against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting, dishing out 8 assists, and grabbing 6 rebounds, in 27 minutes of action. This final homestand and road trip should allow him to round more into form ahead of the playoffs. Alongside the Thunder needing Williams to get back into form, refining his chemistry with the core will also be critical.
Looking past Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be in a prime position to solidify himself as the clear MVP favorite with such key matchups left. While the reigning MVP is still the frontrunner, Victor Wembanyama has made a legit late-season push.
The Thunder only have two weeks left in the regular season, and this final homestand and road trip will determine Oklahoma City’s seeding.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
