The Oklahoma City Thunder has seen a remarkable turnaround in the last three seasons, going from a 24-win team to securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with a record of 57-25. This dramatic improvement has been fueled by a young and talented roster that has exceeded preseason expectations and defied all odds.
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Thunder was projected to win around 40 games and be in the Play-In picture once again. However, the team surprised everyone by starting the season strong, winning three of its first four games, including a victory over the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. This sparked a newfound sense of confidence within the organization.
Despite hitting a rough patch early in the season, the Thunder bounced back with a six-game win streak and found themselves tied for first place in the Western Conference. The team continued to win at a high rate and remained in the top three spots in the West throughout the season, thanks to their ability to avoid long losing streaks.
Following the NBA All-Star break, the Thunder continued to dominate, winning 12 of their next 15 games and briefly holding the No. 1 seed in the West. However, a series of injuries to key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, caused the team to struggle in late March, resulting in their first three-game losing streak of the season.
Despite facing adversity, the Thunder managed to secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference by winning their final five games of the regular season. This impressive feat was achieved with some help from other teams losing crucial games and tiebreakers working in their favor. Now, the Thunder will prepare to host Game 1 of their first-round series in the playoffs, with their opponent still to be determined by the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
Overall, the Thunder’s rise to the top of the Western Conference standings has been a testament to the resilience and talent of their young roster. As they enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, all eyes will be on Oklahoma City as they look to continue their remarkable journey and compete for a championship in the postseason.
