OKC Thunder: 5 Key Games For The 2023-24 Season

A new NBA season is upon us.

Each season brings so many new things to the NBA landscape, from the new rookie class to completely different rosters. In just one offseason we saw the formation of a new big three in Phoenix with the addition of former Wizard Bradley Beal, Boston's acquisition of fellow former Wizard Kristaps Porzingis, and the addition of Chris Paul to Golden State.

Admist the rapid player movement, the Oklahoma City Thunder have added on to their talented young core with rookies Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, in hopes to build on their 40-42 record from last season.

Oklahoma City's 2023-24 schedule looks intimidating on paper, but the Thunder proved last season that they could hang with some of the best teams in the entire NBA.

There are many games that will be extremely interesting to watch this season, but certain key matchups will especially be interesting to see, mainly revolving on Holmgren's first time facing off against some of the league's best talent.

Here are the first five of 10 games that should be highlighted on the Thunder's schedule. Part two will come later this week.

Sunday, Oct. 29 vs Denver Nuggets: Holmgren's First Big Matchup

In just the third game and home-opener of the Oklahoma City Thunder season, the team will be tasked with playing the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

It's an obvious game to be excited for given those circumstances, but it will also be Holmgren's first time matching up against multi-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

That is a massive test so early into the 21-year-old's career, so seeing how Holmgren can play Jokic defensively this early in his career could show a lot on a big stage. Even if the 7-footer struggles, it will be great experience for the rookie to be prepared for higher-level players in the future.

A win here could kick off the season with a hot start for Oklahoma City, although it won't come easy.

Friday, Nov. 3 vs Golden State Warriors: Chris Paul's Newest Team

Anytime Oklahoma City plays Golden State, it is a must-watch.

The two teams share quite the history -- mainly stemming from the Kevin Durant saga -- but also seeing a talented team consisting of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green against OKC is almost always a good game.

The Warriors also look a little different this year, due to the addition of former Thunder guard Chris Paul to the lineup. It was a surprising move for Golden State to make, but Curry and Paul in the same lineup will certainly make for some beautiful basketball.

Green will be another challenge for Holmgren, this time on offense. The former Defensive Player of the Year is still one of the NBA's best at the age of 33, and knowing his tenacity and physicality on that side of the court, he will likely try to push and test Holmgren during the game.

Holmgren has shown a tough mentality during his play in Summer League and college, so if he can handle it, he may earn Green's respect very early in his career.

Sunday, Nov. 12 at Phoenix Suns - KD vs Holmgren

The Thunder will get their first look at the new big three in Phoenix early into the season, consisting of former Thunder Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

Because of both player's lanky frames and elite shooting ability, Durant and Holmgren have gotten plenty of comparisons from analysts. The two have been seen playing pick-up basketball together in the off-season, and Durant has praised the rookie in the past.

It will be intriguing to see how a predominately paint-defender in Holmgren can guard the perimeter-scoring Durant defensively, and seeing the two go back and forth offensively will be special.

Tuesday, Nov. 14 vs San Antonio Spurs - Wembanyama vs Holmgren

In potentially the most hyped-up matchup of the season, rookies Victor Wembanyama and Holmgren will play each other for the very first time.

The No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft and No. 1 pick in 2023 are two of the most highly-touted prospects in recent years, so seeing the two matchup for the first time will have all eyes on the Thunder and Spurs.

With both teams being listed as rivals during the NBA's Rivals Week and both rookies being in the top-3 favorites for Rookie of the Year, the comparisons will be drawn not only between Wembanyama and Holmgren, but for both of the exciting young teams they play for.

The Thunder have a considerably better roster at the moment, but with the amount of talent Wembanyama possesses, it could be a very compelling game.

Saturday, Nov. 25 vs Philadelphia 76ers - The Reigning MVP Takes on The Rookie

Outside of Jokic, Holmgren's first time against last season's MVP Joel Embiid will be his biggest matchup of the season.

Embiid is a very intimidating player to play against given his 7-foot, 280 pound frame, so defending him in the post will be quite the challenge for Holmgren.

Holmgren's game offensively also won't be an easy task, given that Embiid is also one of the best defending centers in the entire league.

Holding his own against Embiid could earn a lot of respect around the league for Holmgren, and with Philadelphia's current situation with James Harden, a win could be very possible for Oklahoma City

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