Oklahoma City Thunder, to the surprise of many, have managed to secure the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Thunder took advantage of a slip-up by the Denver Nuggets in the penultimate round of the NBA regular season to secure home-court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have played excellent basketball as a team and managed to finish ahead of the Nuggets and Timberwolves in a photo finish. If you look at various statistical categories, it’s clear why the Thunder are at the top of the league.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and company, the team is the youngest squad ever to clinch the top spot in league history. Additionally, they lead the league in blocks, steals, and three-point shooting percentage. When it comes to offensive and defensive ratings, they rank among the top five in the entire league.
When it comes to offensive rating, the Thunder score 118.3 points per 100 possessions, which is enough for third place. Only the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are ahead of them. As for defensive rating, the impressive young team sits in fourth place, allowing 111 points per 100 possessions. Additionally, they rank second in NET rating, with a difference of +7.3 points per 100 possessions. All of this has been enough to achieve the highest number of wins since 2014.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans. The first game of that series will be played on Monday morning starting at 03:30.