Oklahoma City Thunder Have Emerged In New Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JANUARY 03: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kenrich … [+] Williams #34 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center on January 03, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

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Through the first part of the 2022-23 campaign, the Oklahoma City Thunder were much better than expected. At the end of 2022, Oklahoma City was 15-21 with a net rating of -1.6 to that point. The team was clearly in a different tier than the bottom teams in the league, tied for 12th in the Western Conference and just a few games out of the play-in tournament.

After a New Year’s Eve matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Thunder had a top ten defensive rating (112.1) but a bottom five offensive rating (110.5) in the NBA. Oklahoma City was in the bottom half of the league in overall field goal percentage as well efficiency from beyond the arc.

At the turn of the calendar year, the offense completely turned itself around. Oklahoma City has only played four games in 2023, but has been one of the best teams in the entire NBA.

Admittedly, some of the Thunder’s metrics are inflated due to a 150-point performance in a blowout win over the Boston Celtics, but they’ve posted the top offensive rating in the league at 125.8 while shooting 50% from the floor (6th in NBA) and 45.1% from deep (2nd in NBA). They have also generated 27.8 assists per game, which is four more per game on average than before the turn of the calendar. This is good for a top five ranking in the NBA in assists.

Although the defense has slipped a bit due to shootout games, down to a 113.8 rating, it hasn’t mattered. Oklahoma City’s 12.0 net rating in 2023 is the best in the league and has led to a 3-1 record over the past four games.

Over this stretch, the Thunder have gotten 67.8 points per game from the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort and Josh Giddey.

Rookie Jalen Williams has also emerged as a highly impactful piece, averaging 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. He’s also picked things up defensively, producing 2.8 steals and one block per game over the past four.

Finally, Kenrich Williams has been a key piece of the Thunder’s success of late, playing undersized center minutes with all of the injuries Oklahoma City is facing. He’s averaged 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on ridiculous efficiency in 2023. He’s knocked down 80% of his 3-point attempts and 100% of his free throws.

Following this hot start to the new year, the Thunder are 18-22, just 1.5 games out of the play-in and 2.0 games out of the No. 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff spot.

The level of play we’ve seen from the Thunder over the past four games definitely isn’t sustainable, but it’s yet another stretch of spectacular play from the youngest team in the NBA this season.

Facing a tough four-game road trip over the next week, Oklahoma City could be firmly in the playoff picture if the team comes back to Oklahoma City on a positive note.

Jan. 10: Miami Heat
Jan. 12: Philadelphia 76ers
Jan. 13: Chicago Bulls
Jan. 15: Brooklyn Nets

Following this trip, the season will be more than halfway over and the Thunder could have upwards of 22 wins. Entering the season, they were projected to win less than 24 games total in the 2022-23 campaign, showing just how much better they’ve been than expected.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2023/01/09/turning-the-corner-oklahoma-city-thunder-have-emerged-in-new-year/