Only four NBA teams have won more regular-season games in a season than the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But that stellar achievement will be largely forgotten if the Thunder aren’t part of the NBA Finals.
Three of the teams that won more games than the Thunder captured the NBA title — the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10), the 1996-97 Bulls (69-13) and the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (69-13).
The team that won the most games in NBA history — the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (73-9) — has that stain on the ledger that the Thunder want to avoid. The Warriors held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals before the Cleveland Cavaliers won the next three games.
This is just Oklahoma City’s second foray into the playoffs with its current talented core, so perhaps it won’t win it all this season.
That’s because the Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics might have something to say about it. Those are the only teams from the Eastern Conference with a true chance of reaching the Finals.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder are substantial favorites, with only the Minnesota Timberwolves having any real shot of derailing them.
MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates have controlled the conference all season.
Oklahoma City finished 16 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets, who are likely still a season away despite their great young talent and top-notch coach Ime Udoka.
The Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies in four games in the first round, beginning with a resounding 51-point victory in the opener.
Oklahoma City finished off the sweep on Saturday and will be well-rested for a second-round matchup against either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets lead that series 3-2 entering Thursday’s road game.
Could either the Nuggets or Clippers give the Thunder a run in the next round?
This Denver team isn’t the one that won it all two seasons ago. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray would need to have a ton of big games.
As for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard has been in “Playoff Kawhi” mode, but James Harden disappeared the past two games. Los Angeles isn’t beating Oklahoma City if it needs extra production from bench players — let’s say that.
The Rockets and Warriors are tied at three games apiece in their series. The fact that a Golden State team with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green needs a Game 7 to get past Houston suggests that group wouldn’t pose a serious threat to Oklahoma City in the conference finals.
Minnesota finished the season strong and then dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. The Timberwolves will face either the Rockets or Warriors in the second round.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with a 32.7 scoring average while guiding Oklahoma City. He improved his outside shooting — his 163 3-pointers are well above his previous high of 95.
He’s also one of the league’s best drivers and made 601 free throws — leading the NBA in that category for the third straight season.
What he hasn’t done is lead a team deep into the postseason. Last season, Oklahoma City lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the second round. Luka Doncic then carried Dallas to the NBA Finals.
But SGA has an opportunity this season. The Thunder ranked fourth in scoring at 120.5 points per game and third in defense, allowing 107.6 per game.
Fellow All-Star Jalen Williams (21.6 ppg, 124 3s) is a stellar all-around player, while Chet Holmgren (15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) and Isaiah Hartenstein (11.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg) are forces in the middle.
Luguentz Dort (10.1 ppg, 170 3s) and backups Isaiah Joe (10.2, 192 3s) and Aaron Wiggins (12.0, 130 3s) are all big-time outside shooters. Cason Wallace (8.4 ppg) and Alex Caruso (7.1) are also solid members of the Thunder’s nine-player rotation.
Oklahoma City has star power and depth. Now is the time for the Thunder to start making regular appearances in the conference finals.
There is no team in the West that can beat the Thunder four times in a series.
None.
