Oklahoma City to be Tested Through Arduous Six-Game Stretch

Oklahoma City is beginning to build up a fairly impressive resume just under two months into the season.

With a recent 23-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers, already winning the season series against the Golden State Warriors at 3-1, and a victory over Luka Doncic and the No. 3 Dallas Mavericks — the Thunder is giving the impression of becoming a truly formidable team out of the West.

But through this upcoming six-game stretch, we'll get a full glimpse into how this team can handle six consecutive games against some highly talented teams from the conference.

The first two nights will come on the road against the Sacramento Kings, who sit at No. 5 in the West and beat the Thunder in early November, and the Denver Nuggets, the reigning NBA Champions who derailed Oklahoma City three games into its season.

Following those two contests, the Thunder head back home for the next four, where it'll face the Memphis Grizzlies followed by the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers again and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Other than the No. 13 Grizzlies, facing the No. 8 Clippers, No. 6 Lakers and, of course, the No. 1 Timberwolves will prove to be an immense test for Oklahoma City.

The team enters this difficult slate on a roll, though.

Beginning on Nov. 12, the Thunder went on a six-game hot streak, which was quickly followed by two narrow losses to Joel Embiid's Philadelphia 76ers and the Timberwolves. But Oklahoma City did bounce back, winning its next four out of five contests — making that 10 victories in its previous 13 games.

15 wins under its belt and seven losses, the Thunder has built and is continuing to build something special in Oklahoma City.

Holding the highest scoring margin in the Western Conference — third in the NBA —and sitting at No. 3 in the league in net rating, as well as No. 3 in true shooting percentage, the Thunder seemingly has no glaring weaknesses other than its rebounding issues.

For reference, the team is second to last in the association in rebounding percentage.

Regardless, Oklahoma City appears to be a top-five team in the league thus far into the season, and it doesn't seem they have any means of slowing down.

Maintaining a complete team without many serious injuries has seemed to allow the Thunder to complete as a cohesive unit, and it'll continue to do that so long as Daigneault and co. keep evolving each night.

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