NBA news: Can Oklahoma City Thunder make it 70 wins for the season?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the outstanding teams to watch in the NBA this season and are currently in first place in the Western Conference.
Having recently racked up a franchise-record 62nd victory, the Thunder are well-placed to make a push for the title come the play-offs.
Before that, however, there is a chance for Oklahoma to make it an incredible 70 wins in one season over the course of the remaining eight games.
Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce analyses the Thunder's record-breaking campaign.
Why the Thunder have done so well
Everyone knows that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a franchise player whose ability to drive the team forward cannot be underestimated, but his knack for making those around him play better is somewhat undervalued.
Elsewhere, power forward Jalen Williams has so far averaged 21.2 points per game with a 47.8 field goal percentage – his highest scoring statistics since joining the league in 2022.
Even though Chet Holmgren has missed most of the season through injury, other players such as Isaiah Hartenstein and Luguentz Dort have stepped up to the plate.
Dort’s ability to steal the ball back from the opposition, in particular, is a much-needed trait for a good play-off run.
The Thunder are currently on an eight-game winning streak, having beaten the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Memphis Grizzlies.
The team’s last loss was a 131-128 reverse against the Minnesota Timberwolves a month ago.
Despite all the injuries this season, Oklahoma’s level has never dropped, with the reserve players who do not usually get as many minutes producing the goods when needed.
The addition of a wealth of experience in the form of Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins has further brought a winning mentality to the side.
READ MORE: Why you should bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Playoffs
Resident MVP contender
SGA is the heartbeat of the franchise and has been ever since being drafted in 2017.
At the age of 26 and having spent six years in the NBA already, he finally looks ready to lead this young Thunder side into the play-offs.
The point guard is also currently leading the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) race, with Denver Nuggets star centre Nikola Jokic just behind him.
Oklahoma’s talisman has averaged 32.7 points and 6.2 assists per game alongside a 52.5% field-goal success rate in a season where he has developed an excellent mid-range shooting game.
Jokic, on the other hand, is the most influential player on the Nuggets roster and led the franchise to the Championship in 2023.
The centre is always one step ahead of the opposition and has a brilliant eye for passes.
Indeed, he has reignited the role of the centre position as every play now goes through him, and his battle with SGA for MVP honours is set to be a fascinating one.
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Oklahoma’s biggest competition
With eight games left of the regular season, the Thunder still have to play the LA Lakers twice in a row.
Ever since they traded for Luka Doncic back in February, the Lakers have gone from strength to strength and been one of the teams to watch.
To add to the excitement, LeBron James and Doncic recently recreated the former’s iconic picture with Dwyane Wade at the Miami Heat.
The dynamic duo will want to rain on the Thunder’s parade and end their winning streak plus any chances of a 70-win season.
In doing so, the Lakers would put a stumbling block in Oklahoma’s designs on winning the whole thing as they might have to face the Lakers in the play-offs.
During the regular season, the Thunder have looked like a real force while building the best record in the league.
This is shaping up to be their best chance of winning a championship since the days when basketball superstars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden came through the ranks in Oklahoma.
Ultimately, only time will tell if the Thunder can cut out those mistakes in vital moments that have prevented them from attaining glory in the past.
MORE FROM HARRISON PEARCE: NBA news: An in-depth look at the blockbuster Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis trade
