Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the Thunder’s Hot Start this season, are they a fluke?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the Thunder’s Hot Start this season, are they a fluke?
The Thunder have been hot right out of the gates posting an 11-4 record coming into the matchup with the 76ers on Saturday, but is their record through 15 a shot in the pan?
The Oklahoma City Thunder's season has been nothing short of delightful, and it is worth mentioning that their success is not a short-lived phenomenon but rather a result of consistent effort and skill. With a winning mentality, this team is poised for success, and they have the capability to seize it without delay. This team doesn't have to wait to prove themselves, despite what the pundits said.
The Thunder's rookie big man Chet Holmgren has had a sensational campaign, but it's the team's roster depth that makes them so electrifying to watch.
One of the most efficient offensive performances in NBA history just happened for Oklahoma City. This conclusion was not drawn solely from a single game against the lowly Portland Trail Blazers, but rather from a larger sample size. The Thunder are currently shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.0 percent on 3-pointers, and 86.7 percent on free throws. In terms of NBA rankings, all three of them are either considered the best or are tied for the best.
As of now, the Oklahoma City Thunder has already played 15 games in this season. Although they have a daunting task ahead of them with a matchup against the formidable Philadelphia 76ers this Saturday, it should be acknowledged that their performance this season has been quite impressive. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their leading scorer and MVP candidate, has propelled them to an impressive 11-4 record.
“Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder ride a league-best six-game winning streak thanks to the 25-year-old notching his third 40-point game of the season on Wednesday that included a season-high 12 assists,” Michael Wright of NBA.com writes.
Gilgeous-Alexander has only really had one poor game, and that came against the Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA champions, who were completely healthy at the time.
In each game, Gilgeous-Alexander consistently contributes with 30.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.4 steals. Although his scoring has decreased by one point per game from last season, he is setting personal records in rebounds, assists, and steals per game. He's seamlessly accomplishing this while shooting an impressive 54 percent from the field.
The numbers clearly show Gilgeous-Alexander's significant contribution to the Thunder's unexpectedly successful season. They currently hold the second spot in the Western Conference, a feat no one expected.
Gilgeous-Alexander's defensive impact has been enormous, contributing significantly to a thriving defense. His impressive stat line of 2.4 steals per game attests to his prowess on the court.
Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional talent, coupled with his seamless integration into the team system, is a key factor in his prominent position in the MVP discussions and his anticipated return to the All-NBA team.
Only two other teams in the league have slashed at 50-40-80 after 14 games, per Stathead: the 2017-18 Warriors (who won a title with Kevin Durant) and the 2018-19 Warriors (who won the West with KD).
He creates havoc on the defensive end of the floor, too, and ranks as one of the league leaders in deflections. These stops consistently set up the Thunder for easy scoring chances, as they currently rank first in the league for points per game scored in transition.
Projections via Basketball-Reference have the Thunder finishing the season as the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference. According to this model, OKC has a 35.6 percent chance of making the NBA Finals, the second highest in the league, just behind the Celtics.
Although less persuasive, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) more moderate predictions regarding the Thunder will finish with one of the three best records in the West as well.
What’s next?
Philadelphia 76ers (10-5, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-4, second in the Western Conference)
Where: Oklahoma City | When: Saturday, 5 p.m. EST
Key factors:
At home, the Thunder have won 5 games and lost 3. In the Western Conference, Oklahoma City ranks fifth in limiting opponent scoring, with an impressive average of just 110.2 points allowed per game.
In road games, the 76ers have a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. Philadelphia boasts the fifth position in the Eastern Conference, thanks to their outstanding performance in defensive rebounds, averaging 34.0 per game. Leading the charge is Joel Embiid, who contributes an impressive 8.1 rebounds on average.
In addition to his scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander is making a defensive impact with an average of 2.4 steals per game for the Thunder. Over the last 10 games, Chet Holmgren has been lighting up the scoreboard for Oklahoma City, averaging 17.7 points.
Not only is Embiid a scoring machine, but he's also pulling down an average of 11.3 rebounds per game for the 76ers. Over the last 10 games for Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey has been on fire, averaging an impressive 26.3 points and 4.5 rebounds.
In the last 10 games, the Thunder have been dominant with an 8-2 record. They have been averaging an impressive 123.3 points, 41.0 rebounds, 26.4 assists, 8.7 steals, and 6.0 blocks per game. Their shooting percentage from the field has been outstanding at 51.6%. The opposing teams have been consistently putting up an average of 109.4 points per game.
Over the course of the last 10 games, the 76ers have recorded a record of 6 wins and 4 losses. On average, they have been scoring 120.1 points, grabbing 46.0 rebounds, dishing out 25.2 assists, making 8.4 steals, and blocking 5.8 shots per game. Additionally, their shooting percentage from the field has been an impressive 46.6%. On average, the teams they have been playing against have scored 116.1 points.
Despite not being in the championship contention this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder's strengths could position them for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The upcoming clash against the Philadelphia 76ers presents a remarkable chance for them to measure their skills against one of the premier teams in the NBA.
Prediction:
It is impossible to ignore the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are playing exceptionally well on their home court, making them favorites to win, regardless of their opponent. Even though it is likely that Embiid will be playing, it is clear that he is not performing at his full potential and there may be limitations on the amount of time he can spend on the court. When facing the toughest teams in the league, Gilgeous-Alexander's determination shines through, and we have no doubt that he will once again impress us with his outstanding performance.
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