Thunder in Review: OKC Shows Promise Early in 2023

Following a lackluster start to the 2022-23 NBA season, Oklahoma City turned things around after its first 36 games.

The Oklahoma City Thunder went 12-21 over the first two months of the NBA season, appearing to be ready to position for the NBA draft once again after losing its top draft pick prior to the season. This season, however, was different than the previous two, which saw OKC "pull the plug" and aim for the highest possible draft odds. 

The Thunder found their stride just as the calendar turned to the new year, kicking off 2023 with a blowout win over the Boston Celtics. OKC went 7-2 over its next nine games, quickly flying up the Western Conference Standings and working their way back into the postseason race just a month into 2023.

Thunder in the New Year:

— 1st in offensive rating
— 1st in net rating
— 1st in points per game
— 1st in three point percentage
— 6th best record

One game back from the play in tournament. pic.twitter.com/pNPejAXWHq

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 6, 2023

During this nine-game stretch, Oklahoma City ripped off four consecutive wins, taking down Playoff teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets on the way. This started to earn OKC more respect around the league, as the team was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned his first career All-Star bid in 2023. 

From the start of 2023 to the All-Star Break, the Thunder went 13-8, firmly placing themselves in postseason contention. While Gilgeous-Alexander was obviously the main catalyst for the team's success, the emergence of rookie wing Jalen Williams also played a large role in the team's reversal of fortunes. 

In the 21 games between the beginning of the calendar year and the break, Williams played 30 minutes or more in 14 contests compared to 13 contests of 30 minutes on the floor in the team's previous 36 games. Williams became a regular starter in December and was truly beginning to gel with the rest of the starting lineup by January, helping spark an impressive run by the youngest team in the NBA.

Another aspect of Oklahoma City's midseason turnaround was Jaylin Williams earning consistent playing time as the team's big man. 

Prior to the new year, Williams appeared in only nine games. Following injuries to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Aleksej Pokusevski, Williams was thrust into the rotation, playing in 16 games from the turn of the calendar to the All-Star Break. 

Williams made 10 starts over this span, proving that the rookie big man could serve as the team's center. Williams' ability to draw charges on defense and keep the ball moving on offense made him perfect for head coach Mark Daigneault's system. 

OKC's success came to a culmination on Feb. 7, when the team took down the Los Angeles Lakers in LA on the same night that LeBron James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Led by 30 points from Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder were able to steal the spotlight from James on national TV and show fans around the league that Oklahoma City is back.

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