News Category: Oklahoma City Thunder

Mavericks out to extend series lead on top-seeded Thunder

The Dallas Mavericks appear to have found a third scoring threat to join stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at just the right time. Fifth-year forward P.J. Washington looks to continue his impressive run when Dallas takes on the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series on Monday. Washington made five 3-pointers and finished with 27 points in Saturday’s 105-101 home victory to help give the Mavericks a 2-1

Thunder ‘curious but confident’ heading into Game 3 in Dallas

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault didn’t figure his team would run through the NBA playoffs without facing adversity. But now that it’s arrived, Daigneault is looking forward to seeing how the Thunder respond. He’ll get the chance Saturday afternoon when Oklahoma City takes on the host Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series. “Curious but confident,” Daigneault said of how his team would react in the wake of Thursday’s 119-110

Luguentz Dort, Thunder ready to limit Luka Doncic, Mavs in Game 2

Before the start of a Western Conference second-round playoff series between the Thunder and Mavericks, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said the plan to slow down Dallas star Luka Doncic was simple. “Just make sure Lu (Dort) is on time for the game,” Daigneault said. Dort showed up on time for Game 1 of the series, and he will look to do the same on Thursday night when the host Thunder and Mavericks meet for

Thunder, Mavericks look for more from stars as series opens

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks advanced out of the first round without stellar performances from their superstars. But as they prepare for their Western Conference second-round matchup, which begins Tuesday in Oklahoma City, both teams likely will need more from their top players — the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic. In Oklahoma City’s first-round sweep of New Orleans, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 27.3 points, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals and shot 47.6

Thunder rolling along, look to finish off Pelicans

The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated Games 2 and 3 of their playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans. The No. 1 seed Thunder have a 3-0 lead and will try to sweep the No. 8 Pelicans in Game 4 on Monday night in New Orleans and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. OKC fell behind 14-12 early in Game 2, then went on a 21-6 run to take control and rolled to a 32-point victory.

Thunder leaning into depth vs. Pelicans in Game 2

In his first postseason as an NBA head coach, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault shows no signs of shortening his rotation. Daigneault has developed a reputation for continually tinkering with his player usage and going deep into the roster during the regular season. In the Thunder’s playoff opener against the New Orleans Pelicans, a 94-92 victory Sunday, Daigneault played 11 players. Nine of them played in the first quarter. “I have great confidence with

Top-seeded, more mature Thunder take on Zion-less Pelicans

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault isn’t worried about leading a young team into the playoffs. “Age is just a number,” Daigneault said. “There’s a difference between youth and maturity.” And Daigneault’s Thunder, the second-youngest team in the NBA this season, has shown plenty of maturity this season in earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They’ll open the playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday in Oklahoma City. It’s the first playoff

Thunder aim for West No. 1, face weakened Mavericks

The Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to make a leap this season. With an up-and-coming core headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, plus the addition of Chet Holmgren, growth was expected from a team that made it to the NBA play-in tournament last year. But heading into the regular-season finale Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have a chance to finish atop the Western Conference. Oklahoma City comes into the

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama resting as OKC jostles for playoff position

San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama might have secured Rookie of the Year status. But Chet Holmgren of the Oklahoma City Thunder, perhaps his top challenger, is preparing for the playoffs. Wembanyama won’t be on the court when the Spurs take on Holmgren’s Thunder on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Wembanyama, who had 18 points and seven blocks in Tuesday’s 102-87 road win against the Memphis Grizzlies, was ruled out Wednesday afternoon for management of his

Thunder still banged-up with Hornets on horizon

Without their two leading scorers, the Oklahoma City Thunder dropped three straight games for the first time this season. Oklahoma City will attempt to snap its skid against the host Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, but the Thunder could once again be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in the finale of a five-game road trip. Gilgeous-Alexander(30.3 points per game) has missed three straight games and five of the past six due to a quad contusion,