Every Game Pivotal for OKC Thunder Down the Stretch

With just a handful of contests remaining the in the 2022-23 regular season, each and every game will be pivotal to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Point in case: Oklahoma City has officially been unseated from the final play-in spot following an overtime loss to the Jazz. Not only that, but other teams, namely the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers, continue to close in as well.

It felt like the Thunder let one slip away on Thursday night after leading the entire game up until about four seconds left in overtime. Luguentz Dort fouled Lauri Markkanen on a 3-point attempt, in which he subsequently hit all three free throws to send OKC home with a loss.

Despite it being just one of 82, the loss seemed to hit a little harder.

Could tell from his postgame presser that SGA felt the weight of this one.

"It shows the significance of the last stretch, especially teams in the race and trying to make a push for the playoffs like ourselves."
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) February 24, 2023

Following the extra-inning loss, Oklahoma City now looks to Phoenix tonight, who still awaits the on-court arrival of former MVP Kevin Durant. It will be another big game for Oklahoma City, who now risks falling even further behind in the standings.

The plan has always and will continue to have a focus on development. Lineups and rotations will have the future in mind, rather than any short term goals such as making the play-in game or playoffs. But that won't necessarily mitigate the feeling of losses for players as they close the season out.

There's still a chance for Oklahoma City to sneak into the play-in, but they'll have to be on their A-game for the rest of the season. Tipoff between the Thunder and Suns is at 9 p.m. tonight.

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