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Brighter Days Ahead For The Thunder
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- Brighter Days Ahead For The Thunder
(Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder stormed out of the gates this season. An Opening Night blow out of archrival the San Antonio Spurs put the NBA on notice that OKC looked like the team to beat. A home opening blow out of archrival the Denver Nuggets only seemed to confirm the thinking.
Then the third game of the season happened and changed the entire course of the Thunder season and the NBA season as a whole. OKC won the battle against the Los Angeles Clippers but ultimately may have lost the season long war.
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As everyone who even loosely follows the Thunder knows, Oklahoma City lost Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and, as it was found out at a later date, Chet Holmgren due to that single contest against the Clippers. Alex Caruso would sprain his ankle the next game in a win against the Phoenix Suns.
After starting the season 4-0, the Thunder have been blown out in their last two games. First, a road game against Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and the much improved Dallas Mavericks. Then another road contest against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. Both losses were by 20+ points.
The sky high vibes to start the season have faded. The sky is falling vibes have taken over. But there are three reasons for optimism that things will get better.
1. Alex Caruso should return soon.One of the biggest issues that OKC is facing right now is the lack of a point of attack defender. No Wallace, Caruso or Williams will have that effect. But while Holmgren, Wallace and Williams are out long term, Caruso's ankle sprain should be a shorter term injury. His ability to wreak havoc and slow down an opposing team's top scorer will have ripple effects on the rest of the roster.
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2. Chet Holmgren will be back.Losing two All-NBA players one week into the season is an enormous hit. Holmgren's ability to protect the paint and anchor an elite defense while providing spacing and efficient scoring on the other end is a basketball cheat code. Yes, he is out between 8-10 weeks. But he will return. And when he does, this Thunder team will look much different.
3. The schedule softens soon.First off, both of OKC's losses have been on the road. Role players always play better at home. Especially the friendly confines of Loud City. After a tough road trip to Dallas, Houston and Cleveland, OKC returns home to play the Cavs on Wednesday. Still tough. Honestly, the schedule is pretty brutal until about mid-November. But at that point, finally, some much easier games are on the horizon. The Thunder just needs to win the winnable games and keep afloat until Holmgren returns.
As long as OKC is in the playoff race when they get their 7'1" All-NBA second star back, they have a chance to make a late season push. And then, who knows, maybe Wallace and/or Williams could possibly return for the postseason.
