Most people thought that the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t have much of a chance at greatness in the 2022-23 season.
That was even more true when they lost their rookie player, Chet Holmgren, to injury in the summer.
And while the Thunder are still far from the top of the Western Conference standings, they are repeatedly impressing fans across the league.
Thunder in the New Year:
— 1st in offensive rating
— 1st in net rating
— 1st in points per game
— 1st in three point percentage
— 6th best recordOne game back from the play in tournament. pic.twitter.com/pNPejAXWHq
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 6, 2023
The team has been surging since 2023 started.
So far in the new year, the Thunder are first in offensive rating, first in net rating, first in points per game, first in three-point percentage, and have the sixth-best record since New Year’s Day.
Yes, they are currently the 12th team in their conference but they are just one game back from being qualified for the play-in tournament.
This last month has been spectacular for OKC.
They have beaten the likes of the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and others.
Their latest victory came on Saturday night when they decimated the Houston Rockets, 153-121.
The importance and power of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cannot be stressed enough, he has been leading the team in multiple ways.
So far this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 31 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.
On Saturday night, he had yet another stunning game with his 42 points.
Of course, he has been getting a lot of serious help from Josh Giddey (16.2 points, 8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists), Lugentz Dort (14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists), Jalen Williams, and others.
The Thunder have a packed week ahead, facing off against the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Can their impressive January lead to an impressive February too?
