The Oklahoma City Thunder finished the season at the top of the Western Conference and are among the biggest favorites to make the NBA 2024 NBA Finals. For the Thunder to achieve this feat with a core of players that are aged 25 and younger makes their season all the more incredible.
The achievement is great, but the NBA playoffs are a different beast and would pose unique challenges to the young Thunder squad. However, this doesn’t stop players and fans from celebrating the occasion on social media.
Oklahoma City Thunder players, fans take to social media after finishing top of the Western Conference
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s season finale was a convincing 86-135 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Paycom Center. It was a show of force for the top seed of the West as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have to play much against a Dallas team that didn’t field both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Once the game was over, fans reveled in the kind of season their team showed them.
One fan immediately looked back at the time Kevin Durant was still in the team:
Thunder win the Northwest Division for the 6th time.
First time since 2016.
Thunder clinch the #1 overall seed for the 2nd time.
First team since 2013. pic.twitter.com/Wddpq4hofY
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) April 14, 2024
Another fan renewed his calls for SGA to become league MVP after the incredible season he showed for OKC:
MVP. pic.twitter.com/uRUYruLS2a
— #1 Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) April 14, 2024
Thunder’s rookie big man Chet Holmgren had a funny take on the season, posting an iconic picture of Ja Morant to express how he felt after his first full season of NBA action:
82/82 pic.twitter.com/K5YL8P06C4
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) April 14, 2024
He even found the time to agree with controversial sports media icon Skip Bayless:
Rare skip W https://t.co/YY0r7lu1Vd
— chet holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) April 14, 2024
One more fan reminded everyone what kind of jump the Thunder went through this season:
The Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 and 2022 seasons combined:
46 Wins
The Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 season alone:
57 Wins
We’ve come a long way. pic.twitter.com/GciKik41if
— Thunder Muse (@ThunderMuse_) April 14, 2024
It’s been an incredible season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they’ll be eager to keep the good times rolling in the playoffs.
It’s clear that the Thunder have been a terrific regular-season team, but the NBA playoffs will be tough. Teams are given more time to create a game plan to stop their opponents, and the teams competing in the play-in tournament are no slouches.
The Oklahoman’s Joe Mussatto explained how their opponent in the first round will be determined:
Golden State and Sacramento will play an elimination game in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 play-in game with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game between the Pelicans and Lakers. The winner of that game will face the Thunder as the No. 8 seed.
Every team in the play-in tournament has outstanding rosters with stars who can cause problems on the Thunder. However, they can make a deep playoff run if they continue to play how they have always done throughout the season: outrun and out-hustle the opposition.
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