Gilgeous-Alexander, young Thunder brimming with optimism after second-round playoff exit
The Oklahoma City Thunder might just be scratching the surface of their potential
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder might just be scratching the surface of their potential.
Oklahoma City’s season ended Saturday night with a loss to Dallas in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. But the fact that the Thunder even got that far should concern the rest of the league. After missing the playoffs last year, they became the youngest team in NBA history to clinch a No. 1 seed and the youngest to win a playoff series this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was an MVP finalist and proved himself worthy by averaging 30 points per game in the playoffs. Chet Holmgren was runner-up for rookie of the year and established himself as one of the league’s top shot blockers. Jalen Williams, runner-up for rookie of the year last season, was the steady No. 2 scorer this season. Lu Dort was one of the league’s top perimeter defenders.
That core, with no starters older than 25, was among the key reasons Mark Daigneault was named NBA Coach of the Year, and why he’s looking forward to the future.
