The Oklahoma City Thunder has clinched their way into the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup.
After disappointing in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament a year ago, the Thunder have had more success in the NBA Cup thus far in 2024-25.
Last year in West Group C, the Thunder struggled against the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sacramento Kings, going 1-3 in group play and missing out on the knockout rounds.
This season, it’s different, as the Thunder won West Group B, going 3-1.
https://x.com/NBA/status/1864192049777369239
The Thunder will face the Dallas Mavericks in the quarterfinals at home — with the winner advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas.
It’ll be another opportunity for this team to showcase its young talent on a big stage, but if the Thunder wants to win the NBA Cup. Here are the Thunder’s three keys to winning the NBA Cup.
NBA Cup: OKC Keys to Winning
Three-Point Shooting
The Thunder are once again leading the league in drives per game (59.5). Due to the amount of rim pressure, OKC generates, the Thunder creates a lot of quality shots from deep. However; 23 games into the season, the Thunder are only 19th in 3-point percentage at 34.7 percent. Currently a pretty significant drop-off from a season ago.
When you look across the roster, several players are not shooting up to their capabilities. This has resulted in some ugly offensive stretches during the first quarter of the season. Therefore, expect their next NBA Cup opponent — the Mavericks to pack the paint and force the Thunder to knock down threes at a consistent rate.
Offensive success will depend on how well Isaiah Joe, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoot it from deep. If the Thunder can knock down threes at a consistent rate, it’ll open up the paint, which the Thunder are the best at generating rim pressure.
If the Thunder shoots consistently from three, then they’ll have a good chance to win the NBA Cup. This will be an area to monitor during the knockout rounds.
Winning Turnover Battle
The Thunder’s defense has been a huge catalyst for their success this season. Turning the opposing team over is a recipe for success, as the Thunder are forcing the most turnovers in the league at (19.2) per game. The Thunder are generating 19 percent of its points off turnovers. The Thunder are also doing a good job of taking care of the ball as they’re 1st in turnovers at 11.7 per game.
The Thunder has won the turnover battle in 21 out of 23 games thus far. When winning the turnover battle this season, the Thunder are 17-4.
Winning the turnover battle can mask the Thunder’s deficiencies. It also helps OKC generate easy baskets and up the pace which is and has been an advantage for the Thunder.
There are a number of key factors that will decide the outcome of Thunder in the NBA Cup, forcing turnovers while not turning the ball over will play a factor if the Thunder want to win the NBA Cup.
The Play of Their Star Duo
With Chet Holmgren out due to a right iliac wing fracture, there’s even more pressure on Gilgeous-Alexander and J. Williams to perform.
The duo of SGA and Williams has stepped up and elevated their play as the Thunder are 10-3 since Holmgren’s injury.
SGA continues to be the staple and model of consistency and is once again in the MVP discussion for the third year in a row, as SGA is currently averaging 29.8 points, 6.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1 block, on 52/36/83 shooting splits.
In the 13 games since Holmgren’s injury, SGA is averaging 32.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2 steals, on 54/37/85 shooting splits (61.4 percent true-shooting percentage).
Williams has really begun to elevate his play and is ascending into a two-way star in year three. Williams is putting up career numbers across the board, as Williams is currently averaging 22 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, on 51/39/80 shooting splits.
In the 13 games since Holmgren’s injury, Williams is averaging 24.1 points, 6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.3 steals, on 53/40/86 shooting splits (63.1 percent true-shooting percentage).
However, high stakes and high-pressure games are where stars truly shine, and in order for the Thunder to win the NBA Cup, the duo of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams will have to play their best ball.
Throughout the season, the Thunder has proven that they can win in a variety of ways, as they’re currently 1st in the West at 18-5. The Thunder will be a tough team to face in the NBA Cup. These are three key areas for the Thunder and Mark Daigneault will have to make the necessary adjustments if the Thunder want to win the NBA Cup.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
