ESPN Reporter Pins Thunder at No. 4 in West Group C Power Rankings

ESPN on-air analyst Chiney Ogwumike presented her West Group C power rankings following the NBA's release of the In-Season Tournament schedule on Tuesday.

Oklahoma City’s schedule was released for the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament following the league’s announcement on Tuesday. Group play is to kick off Nov. 3 and end on Nov. 28, leading to the championship on Dec. 9.

Following the schedule release, ESPN reporter Chiney Ogwumike pinned the Thunder at No. 4 out of five teams in her West Group C power rankings. The Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs and Thunder round out the group.

The lone team Ogwumike placed behind the Thunder was the Spurs, even despite the team’s franchise-altering draft pick in 7-foot-5 French phenom Victor Wembanyama. Ahead of both teams were Minnesota at No. 3, Sacramento at No. 2 and Golden State at No. 1.

Even though the Thunder are seemingly primed to have their best season in recent years with a world of depth and rising young talent, and with a cornerstone piece in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ogwukime’s rankings are relatively fair.

Golden State and Stephen Curry have been a dominant force the Thunder have had to attempt to plow through in the Western conference for the last decade, with their only drop-off coming after Kevin Durant’s departure in 2019-2020 and the following season. It’s difficult to picture the Warriors anywhere but No. 1 in this group, especially considering they sent the Kings home in Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs last season.

For the Kings, No. 2 is a deserved spot for them after a largely improved season last year. Marking the first time the team’s made the playoffs since 2006, it was a massive win for the franchise to be able to compete in the playoffs last season. Play from electrifying guard De’Aaron Fox, offensive-minded forward Domantas Sabonis, all-around impactor Harrison Barnes and hungry, young contributor Keegan Murray.

Minnesota coming in at No. 3 is not a surprise, either, after shoving OKC out of the playoffs last year in a dominating 120-95 play-in victory to capture the eighth seed. The Timberwolves enter this season with some promise, leaning on the continued development of Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid, as well as their established front court in Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. 

Lastly, at No. 5 is San Antonio. This is a case of uncertainty, as everyone seems to realize the capabilities of Wembanyama, but aren’t sure just how he’ll affect the team in his rookie season exactly. Assuming the Spurs will take things slow to acclimate him to the NBA, this season won’t be of great impact for San Antonio other than focusing on the rookie's development. With this considered, and as the Spurs sat dead last in the West last season with the second worst record in the league, it’s a no-brainer to pin them at the No. 5 spot.

It makes sense to have OKC at No. 4 as they’ve yet to fully display their potential. But foreseeing the depth, talent and chemistry this team has, they’re bound to be in as good a spot as any to come out winners in group play.

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