The Thunder was the underdog of this play-in in the West. Already given a loser once morest the Pelicans, OKC thwarted the odds to find themselves once morest the Wolves. This time the step was too high and the little guys from Oklahoma are officially on vacation. We are still impatient to see the marmules once more in October, because the potential is there.
If a team seemed to be taken in this play-in tournament in the West, it was the Wolves. A money time missed once morest the Lakers, injured players, a group atmosphere not looking good and a Rudy Gobert back, but not 100% because of back pain. The Thunder might believe in a possible adventure in the Playoffs. But the return to reality was brutal. Wolves passed them a blowout in good and due form without ever leaving even a tiny spot for hope. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander even took a The Rock nudge in the eye by Rudy, who is hitting quite a bit at the end of the season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took an inadvertent elbow to the face from Rudy Gobert on this play and is heading back to the locker room.
Hope he’s okay ???? pic.twitter.com/1xzZ2IM835
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 15, 2023
On this match, the Thunder was walked on by the Twins Towers that are Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. With such a racquet, you shouldn’t be surprised. This is indeed the priority area for improvement for next season at OKC. Already, the return of Chet Holmgren will do good. A big guy like him, it promises to detonate in the interior sector of the Éclairs. Between the draft and the summer market, we will have to find tall players to protect the hoop in evenings like this. And then, apart from this lack inside, there is no shortage of talent. SGA is a true leader who has averaged more than 30 points this season. Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort are perfect lieutenants. Without forgetting the young Jalen Williams, named among the three finalists in the race for Rookie of the Year. All that’s missing are a few veteran pieces to teach young people the art of making time pay off.
A good part of the progress at OKC is played / will be played on their ability to do even better “the year following”.
They have been strong this season, without too many expectations. They will be expected now, and having the target in the back is not easy for everyone.
It’s up to them to show.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) April 15, 2023
Rest for the Thunder. The Playoffs are on TV – as usual since the departure of Chris Paul. See you once more at the lottery to discuss draft choices and possibilities of filling the racket.
