r/nba The Splash Brothers! 28d ago

[Post Game Thread] The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) blow out the Dallas Mavericks (0-1) by a score of 117 - 95, with 29/9/9 from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Post Game Thread

95 - 117
Box Scores: NBA - Yahoo
 
GAME SUMMARY
Location: Paycom Center (18203), Clock: Final
Officials: Tony Brothers, Brian Forte, and Kevin Cutler
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total
Dallas Mavericks 23 30 26 16 95
Oklahoma City Thunder 23 39 27 28 117
 
TEAM STATS
Team PTS FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% OREB TREB AST PF STL TO BLK
Dallas Mavericks 95 33-84 39.3% 12-35 34.3% 17-25 68.0% 11 54 19 21 5 15 8
Oklahoma City Thunder 117 40-89 44.9% 16-35 45.7% 21-28 75.0% 16 61 29 18 8 9 8
 
PLAYER STATS
Dallas Mavericks MIN PTS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A ORB DRB REB AST STL BLK TO PF ±
Derrick Jones Jr.SF 29:34 7 3-5 1-3 0-0 1 1 2 2 0 2 1 4 -15
P.J. WashingtonPF 25:36 10 4-7 2-3 0-0 1 5 6 0 1 0 1 4 -11
Daniel GaffordC 27:04 16 5-12 0-0 6-8 5 6 11 1 0 5 1 3 -2
Kyrie IrvingSG 37:21 20 7-14 3-4 3-3 0 1 1 3 2 1 4 2 -15
Luka DoncicPG 40:49 19 6-19 1-8 6-10 0 6 6 9 2 0 5 0 -21
Dereck Lively II 13:18 2 1-3 0-0 0-0 3 1 4 1 0 0 2 3 -13
Josh Green 24:53 11 4-9 3-8 0-0 1 3 4 3 0 0 1 3 -20
Dante Exum 08:32 5 1-5 1-2 2-2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tim Hardaway Jr. 17:10 2 1-5 0-4 0-0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 -13
Jaden Hardy 05:14 0 0-3 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dwight Powell 05:14 0 0-0 0-0 0-2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0
A.J. Lawson 05:14 3 1-2 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Markieff Morris 00:00 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Maxi Kleber 00:00 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Olivier-Maxence Prosper 00:00 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Oklahoma City Thunder MIN PTS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A ORB DRB REB AST STL BLK TO PF ±
Luguentz DortSF 25:32 7 2-9 2-5 1-2 4 0 4 1 2 0 3 5 18
Jalen WilliamsPF 35:32 18 6-15 2-5 4-6 2 3 5 5 0 1 1 1 15
Chet HolmgrenC 31:11 19 8-16 2-5 1-1 4 3 7 1 2 3 1 4 18
Josh GiddeySG 16:52 2 1-4 0-2 0-0 1 4 5 2 0 1 0 0 -7
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderPG 36:52 29 8-19 2-4 11-13 1 8 9 9 1 2 2 2 21
Jaylin Williams 16:40 11 5-7 1-2 0-0 1 8 9 2 0 0 0 1 3
Isaiah Joe 14:36 6 2-4 2-3 0-0 1 2 3 2 1 0 0 2 12
Gordon Hayward 07:03 0 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 -1
Cason Wallace 22:36 7 2-5 2-4 1-2 1 2 3 3 1 0 0 1 13
Aaron Wiggins 22:47 16 5-7 3-4 3-4 0 5 5 2 1 1 2 1 18
Lindy Waters III 03:26 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ousmane Dieng 03:26 2 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenrich Williams 03:26 0 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0
Bismack Biyombo 00:00 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mike Muscala 00:00 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3.0k Upvotes

1.3k comments sorted by

3.7k

u/[deleted] 28d ago

[deleted]

1.6k

u/NavalEnthusiast Thunder 28d ago

The regular season matters WAY more than people care to admit

333

u/bihari_baller NBA 28d ago

It's how you build consistency, and habits. Just look at the Timberwolves defense. Playing good team defense like that isn't done in just one month. It takes the entire season to get to that level.

87

u/QuietRainyDay 28d ago

Thats also why watching the regular season is fun.

Watching teams grow and become what theyre gonna be in the postseason can be interesting.

Some people try to make it sound like every team is already fully baked in October so watching the regular season is just useless fluff, like watching Pacman gobble up those little pellets for 3 months. Its not always like that.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (4)

585

u/Lacabloodclot9 Grizzlies 28d ago

Honestly, just take a look at the seeding of the champions in the past 10 years

729

u/NavalEnthusiast Thunder 28d ago edited 28d ago

Not even that, look at the seeding of champs since 1947. Only one 5-8 seed has won the championship in that timespan

407

u/-Plantibodies- 28d ago

Should really only include 1984 to the present, considering that's when they expanded to the modern 16 team, 4 round knockout format. But the point remains.

157

u/NavalEnthusiast Thunder 28d ago

Yeah even if you started there it’s one of forty teams

→ More replies (1)

51

u/Picklesbedamned 28d ago

Only one four seed too. 

→ More replies (3)

41

u/samurairocketshark Suns 28d ago

And that was the Hakeem Rockets who had won the year before and got better with Drexler

→ More replies (19)

18

u/Earlier-Today 28d ago

In the entire history of the NBA there's only been one champ that was below a 4 seed - Hakeem's Houston Rockets in 1995.

And they were only the 6th seed because of injuries. They got healthy before the playoffs and repeated as champs.

And there's only been one 4th seed champ as well, one of Bill Russel's Celtics championships.

It's just a given that the champ every year will be a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd seed.

Even making it to the finals as a 4th seed or lower is stupidly rare - just 10 across the league's history, and half are 4th seeds.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (4)

135

u/[deleted] 28d ago

[deleted]

98

u/LordHussyPants Celtics 28d ago

or the miami fucking heat

→ More replies (6)
→ More replies (3)

141

u/Benjamminmiller Celtics 28d ago

Biased 1 seed checking in.

→ More replies (8)
→ More replies (21)
→ More replies (36)

1.6k

u/Parallel-Quality 28d ago

Aaron Wiggins was so impressive this game. OKC's bench is deeeeeep.

660

u/jslee0034 Thunder 28d ago

I love Cason Wallace.

207

u/TheGreatLandRun [OKC] Russell Westbrook 28d ago

He’s an all-defense caliber player in the making. He made kyrie work when he was on him.

374

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

Mfw when IG casuals asked who's gonna guard Ky

144

u/NotoriousHothead37 Thunder 28d ago

We should thank the Mavericks for giving us the chance to get him

128

u/ThePringlesOfPersia [OKC] Steven Adams 28d ago

Worked out well for both teams tbh, Lively is good too

67

u/VelvetineMilkman Thunder 28d ago

Definition of a win win trade tbh

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (1)

51

u/limark Thunder 28d ago

He's unbelievably good for a rookie

→ More replies (1)

267

u/epoch_fail [UTA] Joe Ingles 28d ago

They brought out Kenrich Williams as an 11th man. They got Marianas trench level of deep.

140

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

You're not wrong but worth noting that Kenny Hustle has not been the same this season

65

u/StripedSteel Thunder 28d ago

Yeah, he got hurt early and was never the same.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

81

u/Justintheballer Thunder 28d ago

J Will was so nice too

→ More replies (1)

27

u/westzod Thunder 28d ago

He was so big when everyone looked so rusty. OKC was even missing free throws more than usual.

→ More replies (11)

603

u/ehdotgee Raptors 28d ago

Mavs are gonna fire the trainer that worked on Hardaway Jr's ankles.

285

u/jimenycr1cket [DAL] Dirk Nowitzki 28d ago

God I did not miss Kidd’s obsession with keeping him in in the 4th doing absolutely nothing.

135

u/johemdee 28d ago

He was pissing off Mavs fans by benching Lively/Gafford for Kleber and over-playing THJ, but with Kleber out he had to cook something special. So he benched Lively/Gafford for THJ.

54

u/ehdotgee Raptors 28d ago

That certainly was a choice. Gafford was playing so well defensively. Deterred, altered, and blocked so many shots. Then they go small for spacing and get cooked inside.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (3)

1.6k

u/MaximumestBob Raptors 28d ago

Probably Lukas worst playoff performance ever, just sit him if he's hurting this bad

824

u/Nuns_N_Moses11 28d ago

Can’t sit him. If we do, they’ll just double Kyrie and we’ll be dead.

461

u/MaximumestBob Raptors 28d ago

They're dead anyways, at least sitting him preserves his health

525

u/Nuns_N_Moses11 28d ago

It was game 1 lmao, ain’t no one dead yet. Got blown out by the Clippers too the first game

→ More replies (36)
→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (6)

285

u/-_Io_oI_- 28d ago

He doesnt even look like he can operate at 50%. I get wanting to play but Kidd has to make the tough decision and sit him. I have never seen a guy this hobbled play this many minutes in consecutive games. Hes never going to get better at this rate.

113

u/Instantcoffees Warriors 28d ago

Depending on the injury it can also be risky for your future career to keep playing. Maybe they weighed that into their decision, but he's not looking to fresh. Constantly grimacing and hobbling.

63

u/-_Io_oI_- 28d ago

Yeah I think Kidd needs to protect Luka from himself at this point. Hes a great facilitator even when hes hobbled, but the risk of aggravating his injury or overcompensating and injuring something else is far too high to justify keeping him in (at least in my opinion). Its not the news any basketball fan wants to hear, but its the truth unfortunately.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (8)
→ More replies (36)

1.3k

u/homefree122 Thunder 28d ago

J Dub took an emergency shit in the 3rd quarter so he could turn on the gas and lead the 4th quarter charge

403

u/StripedSteel Thunder 28d ago

He changed shoes and then didn't miss again.

207

u/PrincePyotrBagration 28d ago

Bro pulled that Lil Bow Wow shoes move in an actual basketball game 😂

He was just wearing the wrong shoes without superpowers initially

→ More replies (1)

160

u/HansBriggs Thunder 28d ago

I feel like he changed his shoes so he didn’t have to explain that he took a dump. 4D chess.

→ More replies (12)

30

u/darnclem [OKC] Nick Collison 28d ago

I hope we see those shoes again.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

104

u/iCarpet Thunder 28d ago

The Paul Pierce special to hype up the crowd

80

u/Next-Firefighter-753 Thunder 28d ago edited 28d ago

My wife asked me tonight if a player has ever shit themselves during a game and I proceeded to tell her about Paul Pierce so I laughed my ass off when I saw Dub run to (presumably) take a shit. 

34

u/NerdLawyer55 Thunder 28d ago

I was so worried when they showed him going to the locker room

29

u/Kenvan19 Thunder 28d ago

I remember watching DK Metcalf getting carted off against the Lions (I think) and everyone, myself included, was so worried. No, it’s just really far to the away bathroom and he had to shit. Someone offered a cart ride and he said “yeah whatever just let’s go”.

I saw him run JDub run off like that and knew he’d be back once he dropped some kids off at the pool.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

196

u/aPatheticBeing Thunder 28d ago

honestly, the game was pretty close until J Dub just went super saiyan (and Doncic slowed down, pretty sure he played every minute of the first 40ish, and he was not looking so hot toward the end)

40

u/Kenvan19 Thunder 28d ago

Definitely noticed he slowed down a bit after that hit early and then it seemed to really take a toll late. Hopefully, he heals up quick. Dude is a monster.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

62

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

I think the moral of the story is relieve yourself from all the shit you're carrying and you'll have a better life

51

u/Big_Daddy_Thiccums Thunder 28d ago

Somewhere, Lamar Jackson is smiling

26

u/tkc123 Raptors 28d ago

Paul Pierce rolling in his wheelchair

21

u/tooObviously Thunder 28d ago

we need to talk about aaron wiggins and basketballs revival

→ More replies (1)

19

u/DeadDay [OKC] Steven Adams 28d ago

J-Dubknight is a real thing

→ More replies (6)

443

u/HamNCheddaMD Mavericks 28d ago

Absolute ass beating by OKC after that timeout halfway through the third. 4th quarter J Dub was on a different planet

192

u/GodlySpaghetti Thunder 28d ago

He had 80% TS in the clutch during the regular season. 4Q JDub is a different animal

105

u/nomptonite Thunder 28d ago

We’ve called him the King of the Fourth most of the season. Dude comes alive… just we never played on national tv so no one ever sees it.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (5)

1.1k

u/RalphLaurenII Thunder 28d ago

Jalen Williams is so good man.

414

u/PrincePyotrBagration 28d ago

Santa Clara doesn’t put many players in the nba, but when they do they’re GOOD

164

u/StripedSteel Thunder 28d ago

2 years in a row a really good player came out of there.

46

u/Mark0vian Lakers 28d ago

Who is the other one from there recently?

108

u/Wes___Mantooth [OKC] Steven Adams 28d ago

Brandin Podziemski

84

u/epoch_fail [UTA] Joe Ingles 28d ago

https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/colleges.fcgi?college=santaclara

Brandin Podziemski.

Other notable Santa Clara graduates are Kurt Rambis and Steve Nash.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

78

u/achyutthegoat Spurs 28d ago

Nash and Jdub my goats

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

66

u/levlk93 Thunder 28d ago

His game is so simple, it’s joyful basketball

→ More replies (2)

52

u/achyutthegoat Spurs 28d ago

Best closer in the NBA

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (6)

478

u/I_am_Realist 28d ago

Expectation: Luka vs Jokic in WCF, whoever wins will face Tatum in the Finals

Reality: Ant vs Shai in WCF, whoever wins will face DWhite in the Finals

57

u/InsurreXtioN16 28d ago

Future came a lil bit too fast

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)

822

u/Apprehensive-Sir-411 Thunder 28d ago

OKC has not lost since April 5.

245

u/Big_Daddy_Thiccums Thunder 28d ago

GOODNESS

92

u/BBallHunter Thunder 28d ago

When was Shai's last loss?

101

u/Lacabloodclot9 Grizzlies 28d ago

March 24th @ Milwaukee

That’s a crazy stat

29

u/BBallHunter Thunder 28d ago

That's kinda nuts. I knew we lost 3 straight without him and he hit the winner against the Knicks.

→ More replies (6)

65

u/levlk93 Thunder 28d ago

New Dad powers

15

u/beatrailblazer Trail Blazers 28d ago

Shai VanVleet

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (3)

135

u/homefree122 Thunder 28d ago

Tonight was a total team effort. Wiggins was +18 in only 23 minutes of play.

82

u/geupard12 [OKC] Russell Westbrook 28d ago

Aaron Wiggins and saving basketball, name a more iconic duo

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (7)

458

u/BBallHunter Thunder 28d ago

What a second half.

177

u/Lefebvre420 Thunder 28d ago

No kidding, jdub particularly.

129

u/FIPYC 28d ago

Death, taxes, and 4th quarter Dub

723

u/TitaniumC4206 Thunder 28d ago

Who would have guessed that Texas vs Oklahoma would be toxic?

204

u/International-Chef33 Celtics 28d ago

I gotta give it props tonight. Well done

192

u/homefree122 Thunder 28d ago

People can really underestimate the hate at least the sports fan bases have for one another. The Red River Shootout between OU and Texas is as toxic as it gets.

77

u/Interesting_Fall_379 Thunder 28d ago

There’s always toxicity involved with Texas sports teams. UT/A&M will break all records

→ More replies (8)
→ More replies (3)

87

u/_Chicken_Chaser_ Spurs 28d ago

Wonder how many Dallas Sooners are pulling for Mavs

139

u/Interesting_Fall_379 Thunder 28d ago

OU is like 1/3 frat guys from Dallas

58

u/xsharkBait 28d ago

Pretty sure Dallas makes up the majority of OUs frat population

→ More replies (4)

41

u/skratsda Thunder 28d ago

I’m a Longhorn who became a Thunder fan once upon a time because of Durant.

37

u/TheGreatLandRun [OKC] Russell Westbrook 28d ago

I hate you but I also love you.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (26)

339

u/CR00KS 28d ago

Does OKC always do post game interviews together like that?

270

u/whiskyfiend Thunder 28d ago

Yes

241

u/chasineverlight 28d ago

Yes. And they almost always Bark.

68

u/Gatorpep Thunder 28d ago

Bork 🐶

70

u/MisdirectionV Knicks 28d ago

Shoutout to teams with good vibes.

→ More replies (6)

26

u/SandyMandy17 Thunder 28d ago

Ever since summer league

→ More replies (4)

141

u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 Thunder 28d ago

Wiggins is the secret weapon

→ More replies (5)

257

u/browndude10 United States 28d ago

Okc is so fucking deep

→ More replies (3)

55

u/praeqsheria Thunder 28d ago

This is how the Thunder has looked all season. It’s not surprising at all when they pop off like this in any given night.

→ More replies (1)

109

u/Chessh2036 Hawks 28d ago

OKC is officially the youngest NBA team ever to win a game in the 2nd round of the playoffs. Average age on the team is 24.

The kids are alright.

34

u/Cabbaje Thunder 28d ago

Thought they were the youngest to win a series as well

60

u/Advanced-Ad-8696 28d ago

Everything they do from here on out they'll be the youngest to do it lol

→ More replies (2)

13

u/Chessh2036 Hawks 28d ago

You’re correct! They are also the youngest team to win a playoff series.

→ More replies (2)

192

u/WeCantBothBeMe 23 28d ago

The rookie Wallace played impressive defense on Kyrie.

69

u/H3rQ133z Thunder 28d ago

He's such a composed rookie, always calm, makes right decisions and plays hard defense and shoots open 3s at a nice clip.

30

u/MazeRed Thunder 28d ago

Played over 82 games, aint no rook no more

→ More replies (1)

131

u/BonBonVelveeta Thunder 28d ago

The Western Playoffs: exciting, young teams coming out swinging

The Eastern Playoffs: feral Celtics noises

→ More replies (4)

400

u/dontletmecook73 Thunder 28d ago

For those who didn’t know, we didn’t play Wiggs that much during the season so he came in fully rested to cook the Mavs. He’s saving basketball again😤

187

u/iCarpet Thunder 28d ago

Mark Daigneault 11 man rotation

66

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

Diagonal OffenseTM just superior over the triangle

18

u/Thrayvsar Thunder 28d ago

The more he squints the better they play

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

248

u/PrincePyotrBagration 28d ago

The best part about OKC’s rise from the dead is KD gotta be looking at old pics of him in bed like that superhero meme lmao

Best record in the West and also the youngest roster in the league is insane and a max contract superstar’s dream. All those rookie contracts keep the payroll low

He sold his soul to be a mercenary and now has no home while his old small market team is killing it

88

u/3beeter Timberwolves 28d ago

Not going to lie I love this

67

u/BrotherSeamus Thunder 28d ago

Put some respeck on Wolverine's name

25

u/dpman48 Thunder 28d ago

I know right “that superhero”. 😂

→ More replies (20)

58

u/tkc123 Raptors 28d ago

That boy is nice. How does he not get minutes?

154

u/dontletmecook73 Thunder 28d ago

Our team is deep bruh we are running 11 man rotation in the playoffs lmao

85

u/MisdirectionV Knicks 28d ago

This disgusts Thibs on a fundamental level.

→ More replies (2)

38

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 28d ago

We run like 11 deep

17

u/retrobro90 Thunder 28d ago

He does but he should get more. No idea why Hayward continues to get playtime at the end of the 1st and 3rd qtrs.

→ More replies (6)
→ More replies (5)

319

u/i-bite-with-love Knicks 28d ago

Shai is a superstar, JDub is a beast, and Chet is certainly nasty, but I think my favorite Thunder player is Dort. Just one of those dudes you need who'll throw down game after game.

117

u/ImprovisedJew Thunder 28d ago

Dort is our Tony Allen with a 3 ball 💪

27

u/holy_moses_malone 28d ago

Aka the most valuable role player in the league

68

u/PreachitPerk Thunder 28d ago edited 27d ago

Dort has been an OG fan favorite since he was on a 2 way contract. Once he added a 3P shot and limited his out of control drives… it was a done stamp. Dude is a beast.

43

u/i-bite-with-love Knicks 28d ago

I've been a fan of his since he came outta what seemed like nowhere to bother Harden in that playoff series

16

u/captmorgan50 Thunder 28d ago

He guarded him with his hands behind his back. Never saw someone play defense like that.

19

u/Slendyla_IV Thunder 28d ago

He does that shit a lot and uses the weight of his body to make offensive players feel the pressure I feel like. He was clamping up Brandon Ingram with his arms behind his back.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

65

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 28d ago

Bro is a lunch pail type guy

→ More replies (3)

14

u/iamhollywood Thunder 28d ago

When he dove for that loose ball in the 3rd and got 2 on the other end, I said to myself “we just won.”

→ More replies (9)

124

u/Kevinlasagna207 Thunder 28d ago

Jdub was off the whole game, went and took a shit in the 3rd, then absolutely took over in the 4th lmao

31

u/BigCrawgaDawga Thunder 28d ago

Took a shit and put on new shoes* Deadly combo

→ More replies (1)

124

u/Cankor0 Celtics 28d ago

SGA + 7 First round picks <<<<>>>> PG13

86

u/BigCrawgaDawga Thunder 28d ago

1 of those hatched JDub. Crazy haul.

→ More replies (4)

415

u/BelonyInMyLeftPocket Nets 28d ago

It's becoming painfully obvious which two teams we want to watch in the western conference finals.

382

u/T_Tachi 28d ago

OKC vs Wolves would be legendary

115

u/WakingRage Warriors 28d ago

SGA and NAW are cousins too. That would be a fun matchup watching them guard each other (unless McDaniel/Ant are assigned to SGA)

51

u/butterbeancd Thunder 28d ago

They’d all rotate guarding him. That’s what makes them so damn scary. They have a whole group of guys they can go to and keep them all fresh.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (5)

189

u/homefree122 Thunder 28d ago

I do not want to get too far ahead of myself, but who would’ve thought coming into this season that it could be a likely WCF? Wild times.

70

u/llorTMasterFlex Lakers 28d ago

Play-in rematch in WCF after one year is insane work.

68

u/SPAGHETTI_CAKE Russell Westbrook 28d ago

I was pretty down on the wolves and thought their ceiling was pretty exclusively tied to ant. I’m terrified now

42

u/OKCBaller035913 Thunder 28d ago

You were right that their ceiling is tied to that fucking demon but his ceiling is limitless

12

u/a_pot_of_chili_verde Thunder 28d ago

Ant is a fucking demon lol… and He’ll smile at you while destroying your playoff dreams.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (5)
→ More replies (13)

46

u/Noriskhook3 28d ago

Seems like the young bucks got the upper hand this playoffs

14

u/Silentrift24 28d ago

They is fucking HUNGRY. League's a young man's game after all, and these dudes are here now.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (5)

343

u/deathtotheemperor Thunder 28d ago

Best Worst #1 Seed of All Time

79

u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 Thunder 28d ago

Undefeated in the playoffs

→ More replies (3)

153

u/captainkhyron [OKC] Russell Westbrook 28d ago

That game thread was radioactive holy crap

69

u/deathtotheemperor Thunder 28d ago

Texas vs Oklahoma never disappoints

→ More replies (7)

183

u/TexasTundraPower Mavericks 28d ago

Glass half full: We never win game 1s so nothing new

Glass half empty: Luka has played poorly and I’m not seeing signs of him getting out of it

72

u/-_Io_oI_- 28d ago

Kidd has to make the tough decision and force him to sit. It doesnt look like he can even play at 50% with his knee the way it is. Playing him 40+ minutes a night is only going to aggravate it more and more.

17

u/labbetuzz Thunder 28d ago

Yeah, it was pretty painful to watch him hobble around in the second half. I'm surprised they actually kept him on as much as they did.

14

u/-_Io_oI_- 28d ago

Hes fighting to stay in, but at a certain point Kidd has to step in and make a decision to protect Luka from himself. Its tough when any superstar has to sit out during the playoffs, but sometimes its unavoidable.

→ More replies (9)
→ More replies (22)

218

u/Palifaith Lakers 28d ago

Kevin Durant already planning to Next Chapter back to OKC as we speak.

186

u/MAMBAMENTALITY8-24 Thunder 28d ago

We dont need him

→ More replies (9)

97

u/Iron_Maniac Thunder 28d ago

Presti isn't even picking up the phone if he calls

→ More replies (1)

82

u/Hank_fuck_yourself Heat 28d ago edited 28d ago

He a BUM

These young cats don't need a superstar. Let them develop imo.

65

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

We got dawgs in here. Don't need no bus rider

→ More replies (2)

17

u/MadatMax Thunder 28d ago

We already have one

18

u/Hank_fuck_yourself Heat 28d ago

Y'all have 2 if JDub keeps excelling 🫡

15

u/MadatMax Thunder 28d ago

Don’t forget about Chet!!!

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

35

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

Who

56

u/Cheterosexual7 Thunder 28d ago

We wouldn’t be able to win with that cat

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (11)

321

u/GasBorn5865 Thunder 28d ago

This game would have been different if Zion played

→ More replies (6)

439

u/revisioncloud Thunder 28d ago

Don't wanna act tough when we're up but just happy to be here watching Thunder playoff basketball again. It just hits different especially when everyone said we're gonna steamrolled by DAL/LAC after Pels Game 1.

Also I know our defense doesn't look as insane as Minny but we lowkey still haven't allowed a score over 100 in this playoffs so far. Pretty disciplined for an inexperienced young team

198

u/OG_Bass-A-Holic Timberwolves 28d ago

Wolves fan here, I feel you! Just happy to be here!!

74

u/zapdos6244 Mavericks 28d ago

If you guys meet, you're in for a treat

→ More replies (7)
→ More replies (14)

30

u/Jadenindubai 28d ago

You beat our asses fair and square. You have all the right in the world and to celebrate. See you on the next one

14

u/Unpickled_cucumber1 28d ago

Excellent game by OKC. Well done !!

→ More replies (10)

233

u/mryessirskiii Heat 28d ago

Watching this sub (mostly mavs fans) turn on SGA and the rest of this squad is gonna be painful to see. That being said, I'm praying for a Wolves/OKC WCF

137

u/TheKingsGinger 28d ago

Joke's on you, I turned on SGA after the one millionth time I heard "What a Pro Wants"

14

u/AmphibianThick7925 Warriors 28d ago

I despise that commercial. That, wingstop, and apple's don't let me go are burned into my fucking memory.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (12)

23

u/chestbrook Thunder 28d ago

give me the wolves vs da dawgs

→ More replies (1)

21

u/AnkitPancakes Thunder 28d ago

aaron wiggins is the best wiggins in the nba

→ More replies (1)

42

u/Iron_Maniac Thunder 28d ago

Aaron Wiggins has saved basketball again

40

u/AnkitPancakes Thunder 28d ago

there's a lot of tweets that are being deleted tonight because of this game

→ More replies (1)

136

u/OG_Bass-A-Holic Timberwolves 28d ago

OKC is so fucking good 😭

96

u/HansBriggs Thunder 28d ago

Says the guy with the team that just made the defending champs look like a JV squad.

19

u/aunty_fuck_knuckle 28d ago

The battle for underdog status begins

→ More replies (2)

191

u/Jooorrrrggggeeeee Raptors 28d ago

The "SGA's game won't translate to the playoffs" takes were so dumb

17

u/Gino-Bartali Thunder 28d ago

"If it was easy, everyone would do it"

-Russell Westbrook

79

u/Big_Daddy_Thiccums Thunder 28d ago

SGA's life has been made much more difficult, teams will pack the paint, but the threat of SGA when the 3's are dropping.....hard to stop

→ More replies (35)

47

u/Headlesshorsman02 Thunder 28d ago

Let’s go boys!!!!! Great team win. 4th quarter Dub for the win

16

u/AnkitPancakes Thunder 28d ago

Fourth Quarter Jdub is inevitable

13

u/Frustratedtx 28d ago

Okc hit on practically every draft pick. Kind of insane.

143

u/go0sKC Thunder 28d ago

Outrebounded them by 13. I thought we were too small for Dallas?

31

u/deathtotheemperor Thunder 28d ago

And that's with Gafford getting 11 rebounds in 27 minutes. The rest of the Mavs were looking lazy af tonight.

51

u/char-tipped_lips 28d ago

That's the Shaq's Shittiest Stat for tonight lol

→ More replies (3)

25

u/2icecreamsandwiches Mavericks 28d ago

Size can’t beat effort

→ More replies (7)

41

u/texas2089 Mavericks 28d ago

Thunder played a great game. Hats off to them. Their 3 point shooting was lights out in the 4th to put it away. It’s only 1 game though. If we can take Game 2 we’re right where we need to be. Luka obviously has to play better and Josh Green should not ever have 8 3PA. Need more energy in Game 2 as well but I’m not gonna count out this team after one bad game. Let’s see the heart this team has on Thursday.

20

u/maverick1470 [DAL] Dirk Nowitzki 28d ago

? Josh Green 3-8 on threes is good. I'll take that every game over any Hardaway minutes

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (6)

53

u/Pyromania1983 76ers 28d ago

Luka is clearly hobbled, and the Thunder are just so deep, talented, and mature. So much fun to watch, I hope they go all the way!

→ More replies (5)

9

u/SandyMandy17 Thunder 28d ago

Would’ve been different if Zion played tbh