As the NBA’s youngest team, the Thunder have didn’t have high external expectations entering 2022/23. However, their rebuild has taken significant steps forward thanks to a strong foundation of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, and Seerah Sohi of The Ringer believes that Oklahoma City might have the most interesting team in the league.
Despite prioritizing player development over immediate success, the Thunder — who still possess several additional draft picks in the future — find themselves in the play-in mix with just two games remaining on their schedule. Sohi points out that Chet Holmgren, last year’s No. 2 overall pick, is scheduled to return next season and could fill a void in the middle. She also notes that the team’s situation seems similar to Memphis a few years ago — a rising upstart that might shoot up the standings in ’23/24.
Here’s more from the Northwest:
- After attempting just three shots in the Timberwolves‘ worst loss of the season on Sunday against the tanking Trail Blazers, Karl-Anthony Towns spoke to head coach Chris Finch to ensure they would be on the same page going forward, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “We had a conversation,” Towns told reporters after scoring 22 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in an essential victory over the Nets. “We have a great relationship, so that conversation obviously paid dividends tonight. We had a good conversation about philosophies. We got it done today.”
- Head coach Michael Malone ripped the Nuggets‘ effort against the Rockets after getting blown out on Tuesday night, calling the team “soft,” according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “We had a chance to clinch number one (seed) tonight and we talked about it this morning, the opportunity at hand,” Malone said. “And we definitely did not take that opportunity seriously because the way we played tonight was unacceptable playing like that, this late in the year. If that’s how we’re going to play, we’ll be out in the first round. Easy. Easy.” The Nuggets wound up clinching the top seed in the West for the first time in franchise history last night after Memphis lost to New Orleans.
- Nuggets big man Zeke Nnaji missed his second straight game on Tuesday due to a knee injury, but it’s not considered serious, reports Chris Dempsey of Altitude Sports (Twitter link). The third-year forward/center is expected to return to the team’s second unit for the postseason.
- Nnaji (right knee sprain) and the Nuggets‘ entire starting lineup — Jamal Murray (right thumb sprain), Nikola Jokic (right calf tightness), Michael Porter Jr. (left heel injury management), Aaron Gordon (right shoulder inflammation) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (non-COVID illness) — are listed as questionable for Thursday’s matchup with the Suns, per Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter links).
Chet should come back for the playoffs if OKC makes it. He cpuld set them apart…come on Chet
Thunder aren’t going to make the playoffs. If they lose tonite, look for them to bench the big 3 the last few games to ensure they don’t.
Well aren’t you mister know it all?
The Thunder will at least make the play-in. They’re in 10th with a two game lead on Utah and tied with Dallas who has been struggling mightily since the Kyrie trade.
Dallas has incentive to sit Doncic and Irving so they can keep their pick as they aren’t winning anything this season.
They’ll lock up the 10th seed tonight after beating Utah who will most likely be without Markkanen and aren’t trying to win.
They shouldn’t play Holmgren though. No time to ramp him up into playing shape and no chemistry with the rest of the team.
I disagree I think they should bring in Chet in the same way a state’s attorney general would bring in a surprise witness. Put the defense on their heels and steal a round. But what do I know…
Yeah just saw Utah is mostly playing scrubs tonite and not really trying. I figured they’d be trying for that 10th spot but not really.
Glad to be wrong. Even if they’re one and done, it’s good experience for the youngsters.