As the final day of the NBA regular season wraps up, the OKC Thunder now know their opponent for Wednesday's NBA Play-In game and their pathway to a potential first-round series. Outside of the Nuggets, who do you really trust at this point? Ascending teams should want a taste of the postseason, even if it comes via the play-in and potentially puts them at the end of the lottery. That set up a matchup against a Warriors team that went 73-9 in the regular season. 3 seed. Dalano Banton scored 18 to lead six players in double figures for the Celtics (1-3). Through the end of February, he averaged nearly 29 points and more than nine rebounds per game, all while providing elite defense on the wing. The Clippers did not have center Serge Ibaka . 43.6 wins, or a This is hive mind defense, their collective togetherness compensating for their individual flaws. Brandon Ingram almost willed a hobbled Pelicans team to victory with 30 points, six boards and seven assists. More: Thunder 'made it very easy' for Michael Cage to support San Diego State at Final Four OKC had a 38-21 record at the time and looked like the top challenger to the Warriors, again. Chris Paul said his criticism of female official had nothing to do with gender, Photos | Construction milestone reached at Intuit Dome, for stepping on Doncics foot during the playoffs, Basketball Hall of Fame 2021: Chris Bosh, Chris Webber, Paul Pierce among class, Commentary: NBAs in-season tournament will only matter if teams make it an event, Victor Wembanyama has winning NBA debut in summer league, Clippers have summer vision for Jason Preston, whose surgery sharpened his shooting eye, Clippers bringing back center Mason Plumlee on one-year deal, A lot of blood in the water. Why actors and writers strikes are a big blow to Hollywood studios, Jury awards $13 million to LAPD officers accused of drawing Hitler mustache on arrestee, What to know about an actors strike: Five questions answered, Fast-moving fires force evacuations, char thousands of acres in Riverside County as heat wave continues, Rockhounds fight for access to their jewel in the desert: Mojave Trails National Monument, Could Stephen Curry go pro in golf? But you've also got Jalen Williams, who carried shooting splits of 50-37-90 on solid shot volume along with incredible defense. The Raptors decided to buy instead of sell (as widely expected) at the trade deadline, and they still couldnt make it to the final round of the play-in let alone the actual playoffs. On July 4, Durant broke OKCs hearts, via a Players Tribune essay announcing his decision to leave the Thunder to sign with the same Warriors team that knocked them out in the previous years conference Finals. He recruited George, and then George requested the Thunder trade him. 2023 www.oklahoman.com. As a team, Chicago was incredibly effective in swarming the ball in the second half, crowding Torontos perimeter players with expertly timed double teams and help defense. They went 24-17 at home and 16-25 on the road. But I firmly believe it's possible. Their first playoff series came against a familiar foe in the Rockets and Harden. That is to say: the Thunder are on the brink of making the NBA playoffs as they face the Timberwolves in the final round of the play-in tournament. OG Anunoby is also almost certainly entering an expiring year because he has a player option after next season. Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we'll prep you for a tip-off of tonight's action, from what to watch to bets to make. This was the second consecutive appearance for the Heat, after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. In addition to re-signing Westbrook and trading for George, Oklahoma City made a late offseason splash, acquiring all-star Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a second-round draft pick. The Thunder were on the brink of a long-awaited NBA Finals return, but instead watched another season end in heartbreak. Josh Giddey had 31 points feasting off all the defensive attention placed onShai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 32 of his own. Miami won Game 5, 121106, to win the series, four games to one. 44-38 record in the regular season. The Lakers are serious all-in, realizing their clock ticks fast and it's time for the front office . Chicago gave up only 47 points to Toronto in the second half of its 109105 win. Durant was a free agent, and with Westbrook due to become one the next summer, Oklahoma City again had difficult decisions to make. The 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder played in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. With Durant already locked up and Westbrook having signed a maximum contract back in January, the Thunder had to let either Harden or Ibaka walk, or pay a hefty luxury-tax price. The new rules didnt kick in until the following season, but new contracts for Harden and Ibaka would have pushed Oklahoma City well over the tax line. George thanked Oklahoma City on Instagram, shouting out Westbrook specifically. The Clippers 117-112 loss locked them into fourth in the West, and the Lakers victory over New Orleans, sealed only minutes later, clinched a repeat of last seasons first-round Clippers series against the Mavericks in which the teams traded words and technical fouls during a testy, six-game series. But the Thunder is not all-in on the play-in. He recorded 42 triple doubles, eclipsing Oscar Robertsons record for most in a single year, and also became the first player since Oscar to average a triple double in a season. The chances of re-signing him didnt look good. Oklahoma City screamed tank squad before the year when No. However, teams placed ninth or tenth have to win two back-to-back knockout games to seal a playoff berth. Against New Orleans, Gilgeous-Alexander was confident. Reactions on Twitter were filled with praise for the Thunder and the promise that many hope the future brings for them: More:'He's making Hamilton his': How Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's hometown shaped him. The Oklahoma City Thunder tanked the tank. Making matters worse, this dilemma arrived the summer after the NBA installed newer and harsher penalties for exceeding the luxury tax, including an exponential scale for every dollar over and additional penalties for being in the luxury tax repeatedly. In close, one-possession games, or games that went to overtime, Robert Zeglinski has more on the absolute worst beat of Summer League so far. But Ibakas return proved to be too little, too late. 2023 ChampsOrChumps.us Terms Privacy Policy. Gobert, one of the greatest rim protectors of all time, will have to chase the Thunder through dribble handoffs and try to run them off the three-point line. Pascal Siakam will now be in the last year of his deal. Bad coaching decisions were part of the story behind Oklahoma Citys four-game collapse. It looked like a simple photo from his Independence Day cookout, but we later learned there was a hidden meaning behind the post. Durant first met with the Thunder, and then went to the Hamptons in New York to hold meetings with the Clippers, Heat, Celtics, Spurs, and the Warriors. - The Celtics might have a gem in Jordan Walsh. The Atlanta Hawks earned a first-round matchup against the Boston Celtics by defeating the Miami Heat 116-105 in the first round of the play-in tournament on Tuesday. With Westbrook taking a bit of a backseat and Anthony off the team, George put together a stellar first half of the season. Then starting center Ivica Zubac played six seconds to keep alive his streak of 158 consecutive games before fouling and exiting for rest, and starting guard Reggie Jackson played only seven minutes. Between 1968 and 2008, the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics. In a massive, out-of-nowhere gamble, they traded Oladipo and Sabonis, the prizes of last summers Ibaka trade, to the Indiana Pacers for disgruntled superstar Paul George. The Raptors and Pelicans seasons are over. The Heat and Bulls met three times during the regular season, and Chicago won all three matchups, the most recent coming on March 18 at United Center. LeBron James led the Heat with 26 points, including the go ahead three pointer, but had to sit out during the final two minutes of the game due to leg cramps. The incident would end up sparking years of beef between the duo. A first-round schedule had not been announced by the NBA late Sunday, but the Clippers will host the first two games of the seven-game series against the Mavericks, and Games 5 and 7, if necessary. The Thunder playoff picture table presents the probabilities that the Thunder will win each playoff spot. There's also this: Think about the rest of the Western Conference. I gained so much more respect for Serge for sacrificing himself for the team. Game 3 will take placeon Saturday, Aug. 22 at 5 p.m. (CT)while Game 4 is set forMonday, Aug. 24 at 3 p.m. (CT). Harden and Serge Ibaka were both extension-eligible, and not agreeing on new deals meant theyd be restricted free agents the next year. They will play the 9th vs. 10th place game, which will be against the New Orleans Pelicans or Minnesota Timberwolves. 8 seedwinner of No. 6 Golden State Warriors, No. If the OKC Thunder had one more reliable scoring option next to All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they would've had a better chance at advancing to the playoffs. The two sides re-committed to each other with a three-year, $85.7-million extension. He kept playing, but looked like a shell of his former MVP-quality self. In return, the Thunder received Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and Houstons first- and second-round picks in 2013, along with a first rounder in 2014. But it does show how far hes come in his young career. Thank you OKLAHOMA! Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me.. That did not sit well with him. Even after taking a while to get his scoring going in the fourth, he coolly hit the eventual game-winning shot, a tough, fading jumper in the face of a great defender in Herb Jones. You guys have basically raised me. The rest of the conference is in flux. OKC won the game to take a 2-0 lead, but an MRI later confirmed that Westbrook had sustained a torn meniscus that would require surgery and sideline him indefinitely. This put the Thunder in a bind. The Jets did fairly well last season before collapsing down the stretch. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, saying that entering the playoffs with a fully healthy rotation was his top priority after an injury-plagued season, rested All-Stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, starting forward Marcus Morris and reserves Nicolas Batum, Rajon Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins against the Thunder. Heat forward LeBron James was named the Finals MVP. Yet Perkins started all five games, and played more minutes than Nick Collison in every single game. [14], Miami won Game 3, 91-85, to go up two games to one in the series. Im picking Chicago to advance to the first round. separate stretches during the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the 10 best players in the NBA. While other teams are floundering and struggling to fill gaps on their roster, they'll have a complete team with players ready to go. Catch that convo here. The Heat won Game 2 on the road thanks to 32 points by James and 24 by Wade. Nobody can stop him off the dribbleif you can get to the rim every single time you touch the ball, you should get to the rim every single time you touch the ball. Oklahoma City agreed to a four year $48M extension with Ibaka later that August, making Hardens departure an even greater possibility. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-1) vs. Washington Wizards (1-2) WHEN: I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team, Durant wrote. Yes. . The Thunder would like to make the NBA's play-in tournament or even, be still my thumper, the playoffs. The No. With Durant healthy again and Billy Donovan taking over as head coach from the fired Scott Brooks, the 2015-16 Thunder headed into the postseason as the the No. June 20, 2012: A 4-1 defeat in the 2012 NBA Finals Despite its youth, Oklahoma City had reasons to be confident heading into the 2012 NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. George was set to be a free agent next season and reportedly had his sights on joining the Los Angeles Lakers. The reason why is simple - the Thunder have one of the best cores in the NBA. 7 Miami Heat/No. The Pelicans are eighth with a 42-39 record, while the Timberwolves are ninth with a 40-40 record. Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/OH/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), visit OPGR.org (OR), or 1-888-532-3500(VA). These are all interesting pieces, except theyve underachieved as a group. 2023. The Warriors, too, to a certain extent. The 1999 NBA playoffs was the last time that a Game 7 was not played. He does a lot of different things. why George lit Vegas on fire. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Hall tries to knock the ball away from Clippers center Daniel Oturu during Sundays game. Little did we know he really was waiving the Thunder goodbye. That hampers the Thunder's chances of making the playoffs even if they win the ninth vs. 10th place game. F1 to implement new qualifying rules at the Hungarian Grand Prix, At next weeks Hungarian Grand Prix, qualifying will look a little different, Steph Currys hysterically surprising name drop after winning American Century Championship. The Heat's arena always looked half empty and everyone just wears white in Miami anyway. In that series as a whole, SGA was inconsistent and ultimately underperformed based on what hed done that season. In the playoffs, they defeated the New York Knicks (41), Indiana Pacers (42) and Boston Celtics (43) on their way to the Finals. 8 seedwinner of No. Even with some rest for SGA down the stretch of the season, the Thunder didnt go the way of the Trail Blazers and Mavericks and shut things down. While "Thor: Love and Thunder" is shaping up to be an international super hit, the movie looks set to be banned in certain regions that have been profitable for Hollywood blockbusters in recent . 2023. The series is set to commence with Game 1on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. (CT), followed by Game 2on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m. (CT). The play did not come without controversy however as many observers had felt that James had fouled Durant on the right hip during the shot, a potential sixth foul that would have taken the Heat superstar out of the game in the process. And with the season being so different now, like, when I played, playoffs started in two or three days. Westbrook broke both marks in stunning fashion, scoring 50 points and hitting the game-winner to lead the Thunder back from an 14-point deficit with six minutes left to beat the Nuggets. NEW ORLEANS - As Brandon Ingram rose up and sank a desperation 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left in Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he turned to the . The two sides agreed to a five-year $205M deal under the leagues new supermax provision. On the day of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Thunder dealt Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the No. Anyone who'd paid any attention to George wasn't surprised by this, though. Judging from their putrid offensive performance against the Lakers, the Timberwolves don't have that in them. Thanks to his record-breaking year, Westbrook was named MVP of the 2016-17 season, beating out his two former teammates. Miami had a slim 4746 halftime lead before Oklahoma City began the third quarter with a 104 run, eventually building a 10-point lead midway through the period. Westbrook posted a bittersweet pic on Instagram: three plates of cupcakes topped by red and blue stars and sprinkles. The 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder played in the Northwest Division of It was the only time between the season of 1998/1999 and 2013/2014 that neither the Los Angeles Lakers, the San Antonio Spurs nor the Dallas Mavericks represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Even without a true deterrent at the rim, the Thunder managed to maintain an above average defense because of their versatility and positional size. With Westbrook missing 35 games recovering from knee surgery in the 2013-14 season, Durant was once again called upon to be main bucket getter. The Thunder badly lost the first two games to the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals, but received a boost when Ibaka came back in Game 3. But then the Jets reeled off four wins in a row to get themselves to 5-2. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. Clippers guard Terance Mann puts up a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/WtKIn6WnX8. The Oklahoma City Thunder's season came to an end after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA play-in tournament on Friday night. OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 13, 2020 - The Oklahoma City Thunder will match-up against the Houston Rockets in the First Round of the 2020 NBA Western Conference Playoffs, it was announced today. Instead, the team was frisky to start the seasonthanks in large part to Gilgeous-Alexanderand hung around long enough that making the playoffs via the play-in became a very realistic goal. 5 New York Knicks, Western Conference Playoff PictureRound 1, No. - Scoot Henderson seems like a potential all-time "the vibes are on a million" guy. With the ball in his hands, Gilgeous-Alexander is irrepressiblehis 23.9 drives per game are more than three ahead of Ja Morant, who sits in second place with 20.3. Also, nearly every team in the NBA does this in the playoffs, unless you are asking why the Thunder specifically don't do this, and uh, they just don't make the playoffs these days (and last time they did it was in front of no fans) Here are some thoughts from the second night of whats been a wildly entertaining play-in tournament, which saw two road teamsChicago and Oklahoma Cityadvance to the final leg for a shot at the postseason. Their first season was in 1968, and their most recent season was in 2023. Oklahoma City Thunder This was the Thunder's first NBA Finals appearance since the team relocated from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008. The eyes of the NBA turned toward Oklahoma City late in a deadlocked fourth quarter Sunday, the final day of the regular season, for one reason: Who would end up pulling out a gutty loss?