OKC Thunder’s Versatility will be a Weapon Come NBA Playoffs

Oklahoma City can win in a variety of ways, which will be big for the impending NBA Playoffs.

Sunday night in New York, a few Thunder stars didn’t have their fastball, as head coach Mark Daigneault would say.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off a quad injury, had a slower game than his typical MVP production. And Chet Holmgren saw another game without his typical juice. Still, OKC found ways to win behind a combination of Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey’s star-power mixed, with solid performances from a variety of role players.

The win over the Knicks was just one example of the amount of ways the young OKC team is designed to succeed.

Gilgeous-Alexander can takeover at a moment’s notice, as showcased by his buzzer-beating jumper Sunday. Chet Holmgren has proven himself a two-way force, even exhibiting MVP-type impact when he’s really rolling. Williams needs no introduction after Sunday’s do-it-all, 33-point outing. And Josh Giddey’s starting to find his groove again after an up-and-down season, picking up slack in the process.

On top of its core four, OKC is the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, boasts a top-two defense and almost always wins the turnover battle. Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Joe can catch fire, and players like Cason Wallace, Kenrich Williams and Aaron Wiggins all offer a steadiness most teams can’t replicate on their bench.

Most simply, Oklahoma City can win in a variety of ways, as it’s showcased in its 52 victories so far. And that’s going to make them a dangerous team come time for the Playoffs. Even more importantly, with all the above options, Daigneault will be able to make necessary adjustments if and when they find themselves outmatch in the Playoffs.

Right now, OKC stands atop the Western Conference, but is just a half-game ahead of Denver and one full game ahead of Minnesota.

Regardless, whoever ends up matched up with the Thunder in round one are likely going to have their hands full in putting a stop to their machine.

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