Chet needs to come back in a big way, need his presence of another big. Caruso needs to hurry up too.

IMO with the game being played in Cleveland; the onus is on the Cavs to protect home court. A Thunder victory without two starters 'Chet & Alex' speaks volumes for OKC.

^Caruso is not a starter. He comes off the bench. Regardless, missing him and Ajay Mitchell will be tough. And obviously Chet.

They start 3 guys 6-10 or above. I really worry about our size vs a team like them without Chet. Hopefully our Quickness will win out or we can make 3's shoot at least 40% we have a chance

Oklahoma City Thunder 122 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 129

https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/enidnews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/2e/02eb0b7d-2b88-55d7-976c-91eeaaf7270a/677f3a9a0bf1a.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705075



Attendance: 19,432

They start 3 guys 6-10 or above. I really worry about our size vs a team like them without Chet. Hopefully our Quickness will win out or we can make 3's shoot at least 40% we have a chance

Yep kind of what I expected. Without Chet their size would kill us. We shot 35.5% from 3. We needed to make just a couple more. Still a win in my book. Cavs are fully healthy Chet will make a huge difference in a game like this. So will Caruso. OKC will be much better come June when we play them again.

Great game with 30 lead changes but yeah, that lack of size in the paint hurt us. Also, Cleveland is just a good team. I feel pretty darn good about this team though.

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2024/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_IE.jpg

Friday, January 10, 20235
Oklahoma City Thunder 30-6 @ New York Knicks 25-13
Madison Square Garden, New York
TV: NBA TV/FanDuel, Oklahoma - 6:30 PM

Great game with 30 lead changes but yeah, that lack of size in the paint hurt us. Also, Cleveland is just a good team. I feel pretty darn good about this team though.

Not a bad game for them to take an L. Hopefully Chet & The Accountant can return to the office very soon

Yea that performance was pretty good considering they are a top 3 team this year. Adding Chet, Caruso, and Mitchell to that game and we take it. I am not scared of any team in a 7-game series when we are fully healthy.

The lack of size might incline Presti to go after Cam Johnson. He's a 6'8" forward who can play.

Great game with 30 lead changes but yeah, that lack of size in the paint hurt us. Also, Cleveland is just a good team. I feel pretty darn good about this team though.

Tough game on the road, but we will have another shot at them. We get to play them again at home, next week on the 16th. So we can get a rematch.

The lack of size might incline Presti to go after Cam Johnson. He's a 6'8" forward who can play.

I think adding Chet back to the lineup solves most of the size disadvantages against the Cavs. Wouldn’t be opposed to Cam Johnson depending on what we had to give up but it seemed like the main size issues last night occurred when the Cavs were playing two bigs. Definitely don’t want to give up Wiggins now that he’s finally starting to get going.

I think adding Chet back to the lineup solves most of the size disadvantages against the Cavs. Wouldn’t be opposed to Cam Johnson depending on what we had to give up but it seemed like the main size issues last night occurred when the Cavs were playing two bigs. Definitely don’t want to give up Wiggins now that he’s finally starting to get going.

Agreed on Wiggins, if he can get consistent that's just another element & piece that could be critical. Other thing I was thinking is if we do get Cam maybe it's a bit of an insurance policy in case Chet/Hart get hurt again to have a little extra size.

I don't think we can win a title unless Chet/Hart are both healthy unless we manage to avoid a few teams fortuitously so if one does go down again at least he would provide a little extra length.

Does Cam really help with interior size though? I suspect Kenrich would be the small ball big regardless.

Does Cam really help with interior size though? I suspect Kenrich would be the small ball big regardless.

I want Cam not so much for his size or his average defense I want him for his scoring ability on Offense. When SGA is not on the floor our offensive struggles. Now Chet might really change things but teams will load up on Chet and JDub when SGA is not on the floor. Throw Cam out there with those guys you have 3 scorers on the floor. How long are we going to let Isaiah Joe shoot 33% from 3. If he can't do that one thing you can't play him. Also couldn't play JWill in that game either yesterday. This is where Cam Johnson comes into play.

Take it to the Knicks in MSG tonight, it's obvious that Cavs and Thunder are the teams to meet, if the championship were played today.


Friday, January 10, 2025
Madison Square Garden, New York
TV: NBA TV/FanDuel, Oklahoma - 6:30 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeJcVc0BRQI
After their loss to the Cavaliers, Shai had some comments regarding his future with the Thunder.
Get our $1 billion arena ready for Shai and the Thunder.

Estimated return date for Ajay Mitchell & Alex Caruso is January 12 @ Washington Wizards.

Chet Holmgren February 10 @ home vs New Orleans.

AJ Mitchell out 10-12 weeks. Probably be back near the end of the season. Kind of bummed cause he was starting to play good. Not sure though how many minutes I wanted to play a rookie come playoff time but if he could of given up 10 minutes a game and held his own I was for it. With Chet and Caruso coming back at some point though his minutes were going to get reduced anyway. The 8 man playoff rotation needs to be Chet, JDub, SGA, Dort, I-Hart, Caruso, Wallace, Wiggins. Joe in spot minutes or if he is making 3s leave him in.

My concern about Cam Johnson is that I think he is in the first year of a 4-year, $94 million contract. Why is he available from a rebuilding team? He will be the third highest player on the Thunder. And is his 3 years at $22 million average a good fit financially, and in the locker room?

If Joe makes 3s we are unbeatable. I would love for him to get back above 40 % from 3.

Oklahoma City Thunder 126 @ New York Knicks 101


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa8CICrOJ3M

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705095



Attendance: 19,812

My concern about Cam Johnson is that I think he is in the first year of a 4-year, $94 million contract. Why is he available from a rebuilding team? He will be the third highest player on the Thunder. And is his 3 years at $22 million average a good fit financially, and in the locker room?

he's almost 29. and he's not the type of guy (SGA, Wemby, etc.) that a team would try to rebuild around.

regarding the money, this ownership group is more than good for it. plus, we're building them a $1.5 billion arena and they will be getting a ton of cash when Seattle and Vegas get their expansion teams. a few luxury tax bills won't hurt these bros.

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2024/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE.jpg

Sunday, January 12, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder 31-6 @ Washington Wizards 6-30
Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
TV: FanDuel Oklahoma - 5:00 PM

regarding the money, this ownership group is more than good for it. plus, we're building them a $1.5 billion arena and they will be getting a ton of cash when Seattle and Vegas get their expansion teams. a few luxury tax bills won't hurt these bros.

It doesn't matter if the ownership has the money for any single contract. The CBA includes limits on how much teams can spend and once teams hit that second apron are harsh. Here's an explanation (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/10/nba-second-apron-cba-explained):


If a team goes beyond the second apron, they lose out on essential roster-building tactics that help teams fill out rosters around their stars.

Teams will lose:

Complete access to the mid-level exception in free agency
The ability to trade a first-round pick seven years into the future
The ability to acquire players in return when the team chooses to sign-and-trade its own free agents elsewhere
The ability to aggregate contracts in trades
The ability to send straight cash out to teams in trades
On top of that, if a team is in the second apron twice in a four-year span, its draft pick will fall directly to the bottom of the first round of the NBA draft that season.

So, the Thunder will absolutely not be able to keep SGA, Chet, J-Dub, iHart, Cam Johnson, etc. After next season, keeping just iHart will be very difficult much less Cam Johnson. Fortunately, the Thunder have one more season where they'll be able to stay under the cap.

It doesn't matter if the ownership has the money for any single contract. The CBA includes limits on how much teams can spend and once teams hit that second apron are harsh. Here's an explanation (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/10/nba-second-apron-cba-explained):



So, the Thunder will absolutely not be able to keep SGA, Chet, J-Dub, iHart, Cam Johnson, etc. After next season, keeping just iHart will be very difficult much less Cam Johnson. Fortunately, the Thunder have one more season where they'll be able to stay under the cap.

never said they were. as i said, Cam Johnson is 29 so he's not a guy who would figure to be on the roster long-term.

and look at the Suns. they're at $216M in active cap this season vs the Thunder who are at $140.5M. that's plenty of room to sign Chet and J-Dub to max extensions.

also, most of those 2nd apron restrictions tend to hurt teams that rely on landing free agents. we're not really that exposed to those restrictions and could likely fill out the roster with guys on rookie deals.

If we can get these guys back healthy and allow them to work in tandem, there shouldn't be any issues matching up in height with Cleveland, Boston, Dallas, New York and Minnesota.

As for Cam Johnson, IMO he's not worth the money or the risk to package some our proven player reserves for what his potential 3 point shooting could bring.

also, most of those 2nd apron restrictions tend to hurt teams that rely on landing free agents. we're not really that exposed to those restrictions and could likely fill out the roster with guys on rookie deals.

You basically can't make trades and your picks can start getting moved to the end of the second round. I almost guarantee Presti will never want to be in the position the Suns are currently in. They have no roster flexibility.

Cam Johnson will have a guaranteed 3 years left at $22 million per year at the end of this season. More than every Thunder, other than SGA and I-Hart. And longer. The money will become more manageable the last 2 years when the new media deals bump the salary cap. But why is a team that just signed him to a 4 year deal willing to let him go? Especially when he is not too old or too expensive. If he can help us (the team already with the best record in the West) this year, then he would be taking "growth" minutes away from home grown and less expensive talent. If we move on from him the last 2 years of his contract, then we will have to include "sweeteners"' at a higher level each year.

Cam Johnson will have a guaranteed 3 years left at $22 million per year at the end of this season. More than every Thunder, other than SGA and I-Hart. And longer. The money will become more manageable the last 2 years when the new media deals bump the salary cap. But why is a team that just signed him to a 4 year deal willing to let him go? Especially when he is not too old or too expensive. If he can help us (the team already with the best record in the West) this year, then he would be taking "growth" minutes away from home grown and less expensive talent. If we move on from him the last 2 years of his contract, then we will have to include "sweeteners"' at a higher level each year.

If the whole team is healthy and Wiggins/Joe play like they have over the last few weeks, then we don’t need to make any moves.

Long Term UGH I hate that word. If you have a chance to win you WIN NOW you go for it. How did that work out for us last time. Those Durant/Westbrook teams were a great 3 point shooter from winning it all and we never went and got one. I think we will make no trades and see what happens again this year and than tweak the roster one more time. It takes teams around 3 years to climb the mountain. Look at Boston 21-22 Compare that roster that went to the Finals to the Roster that won it all 2 years later. We are on the same path. Saw what we had last year made a slight change. See what we got this year and than make another small trade and go for it all.

Warriors 2012-2013 Second round. 2013-14 First round. Went and got a few roll players won the title is 2015.

Oklahoma City Thunder 136 @ Washington Wizards 95


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWDI0QzU4s0

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705111



Attendance: 15,711

Next 10 games wow. Timberwolves, Clippers, Knicks, Celtics, Cavs, Knicks, Wizards, Sixers, Cavs, Mavericks. WOW. I will be happy with 7-3. 6-4 still keeps us first in the west by probably a couple of games. Can we go 8-2?

We might go 9-1.

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2024/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE.jpg

Tuesday, January 14, 2024
Oklahoma City Thunder 32-6 @ Philadelphia 76ers 15-22
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
TV: FanDuel Oklahoma - 6:00 PM

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/10/28/NOKL/75886970007-thunder-hawks-87.jpg?crop=4465,2512,x0,y0&width=660&height=371&format=pjpg&auto=webp

The Oklahoma City Thunder might have good news incoming that Alex Caruso is no longer listed on the
injury report for the OKC Thunder and could be returning against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.

Oklahoma City Thunder 118 @ Philadelphia 76ers 102



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISfnBLtV4yA

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705121



Attendance: 19,771

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2024/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_SE.jpg

Thursday, January 16, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers 34-5 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 33-6
Paycom Center, OKC
TV: TNT/FanDuel Oklahoma - 6:30 PM

WHAT CUSS WORDS ARE ALLOWED ON THIS SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thunder Injury Update: Isaiah Hartenstein sustained a left soleus strain in last night’s game against Philadelphia. He will be re-evaluated in approximately one week. We have no chance tomorrow vs Cleveland and than at Dallas. UGH

Yea, so much for redemption in a rematch with the Cavs, and its the primetime TNT game Thursday night. We get Caruso back, but then lose IHart....SMH

We can't catch break, hopefully its not a blowout and we can keep is close.

It's the regular season. We don't suffer anything if we lose. We are a solid number 1 in the west. If this stuff happens in early April, then get concerned.

It’s fine and the Mavs don’t have Luka

Yeah it’s pretty damn frustrating but at least we’ve built such a massive lead in the west that we can drop a few without it being an issue. Also we were still pretty good without both bigs last time around and this time we have had both J Will and Kenrich, who have been back in the rotation for awhile, which should help. Probably still lose to the cavs but you never know.

It’s fine and the Mavs don’t have Luka

I think we already lost to the Mavs without Luka and no Chet/I-Hart. Will have JWill and Kendrick though so that might help some. I'll still favor the Mavs since it's in Dallas

I figure 7 games without him. I could still see us going 5-2 Even 4-3 with our huge 6 games lead in the West we are more than fine. Rockets in two weeks have Cavs Back to Back and at Boston.

https://x.com/CrainNBA/status/1879691033224622581?t=h5ULUld4tbylc9kpACXZ7A&s=19. Yep I figure he might be out 2 weeks we have seven games in 2 weeks I would not be surprised if we are 4-3

We need another big, Chet could easily go down again once he comes back and Ihart is gonna miss at least 25% of the season as it stands so he could also be a question mark again later.

But if we are looking to build popularity and get All-Star voting, a good showing tonight matters, and a win would matter. So lets not say if we lose, like oh well. The Thunder barely get media attention as it is, and with this being a big game on a national stage, they need to win. If SGA and JDub want all star votes, this is the game to show the voters.

But if we are looking to build popularity and get All-Star voting, a good showing tonight matters, and a win would matter. So lets not say if we lose, like oh well. The Thunder barely get media attention as it is, and with this being a big game on a national stage, they need to win. If SGA and JDub want all star votes, this is the game to show the voters.

It is a game in the middle of January so if we lose oh well. It's really not that of important game in terms of standings. We have such a big lead in the West we could go 4-3, over the next 2 weeks, while Hart is out and still be in great shape to win the West. It is on National TV and SGA could put up 40 keep us in the game and even if we do lose he will still get National Attention. I think National people understand how good OKC is with their bigs. 30-3 when one of them plays is pretty good and the National media can't ignore that. Don't get me wrong it will be great if we can win tonight.

I'll take a little bit back in saying this game don't mean much cause it might if we meet in the NBA finals on who gets home court but other than that Meh. Like I said the Rockets next week have the Cavs back 2 back (home, away) and at Boston. They drop 2 games we can drop 2 games. It's all good Everyone else is way way too far behind

NBA.com


Player - Position . . . . . Updated Injury . . . . . . . Injury Status . . . . .
Adam Flagler - SG . . . . . . . . . . Wed, Jan 15 - Finger. . . . . Game Time Decision
Isaiah Hartenstein - C . . . . . . . Wed, Jan 15 - Calf. . . . . . . Expected to be out until at least Jan 26
Ajay Mitchell - PG. . . . . . . . . . . Sat, Jan 11 - Toe. . . . . . . . . Expected to be out until at least Apr 2
Chet Holmgren - C. . . . . . . . . . Thu, Dec 19 - Hip. . . . . . . . Expected to be out until at least Feb 10
Nikola Topic - PG . . . . . . . . . . . Thu, Nov 7 - Knee . . . . . . . Out for the season

A lot of empties in the upper deck for the 6:30 game did people forget it was at 6:30

After 7:00 it did fill in.

This appears to be going well.

TNT Game Crew late in the 4th: “This game has been worse than that score would indicate and that score is pretty bad”

Cleveland Cavaliers 114 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 134



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noqSnv-rq8c

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705140



Attendance: 18,203

I felt like we still had a pretty good shot to win this one even without our bigs but I did not expect us to dominate the way we did.

https://appimages.nba.com/p/tr:n-slnfre/2024/uniform/Oklahoma%20City%20Thunder/OKC_AE.jpg

Friday, January 17, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder 34-6 @ Dallas Mavericks 22-19
American Airlines Center, Dallas
TV: FanDuel Oklahoma - 7:30 PM

The thing about rebounding bigs, is you don't need them when your team is shooting 70%+ (pre garbage time).

Shai is the first player in Thunder history to score 40+ points in less than 30 minutes.
An organization that had Kevin Durant, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, etc. and this is the first time.

Shai is the first player in Thunder history to score 40+ points in less than 30 minutes.
An organization that had Kevin Durant, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, etc. and this is the first time.

to be fair, the game is completely different than it was even 10 years ago.

https://www.givemesport.com/modern-nba-offenses-are-too-efficient/#:~:text=Ever%20since%20%22Morey%20Ball%22%20prove d,threes%20or%20at%20the%20rim.

Lu Dort passed Larry Bird on the all-time 3-pointers made list... which doesn't feel like a real sentence.