In a significant development for the Oklahoma City Thunder, their core team, built with the aim of winning now, is hitting the basketball court fully fortified for the first time this year. This includes the likes of center Isaiah Hartenstein and forward Chet Holmgren, both of whom have had their fair share of physical adversities during the current season.
The Thunder’s performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. Currently, they hold the second rank in the league with an impressive 44-10 record, surpassed only by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference leaders. Their success is largely attributable to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, whose performance on the court is rivaled only by the legendary Michael Jordan. Furthermore, the team’s net rating is the second-best of all time, trailing only behind Jordan’s iconic 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.
What makes these achievements even more remarkable is that they were accomplished amid a plethora of injuries that have plagued the team throughout the season. The Thunder’s dynamic All-Star duo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, have been the team’s driving force, despite missing a few games due to injuries.
New additions to the team, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, have both sat out nearly 20 games due to various injuries. Hartenstein suffered a hand injury at the season’s outset, while Caruso has been grappling with multiple minor injuries throughout the season.
The team was dealt a major blow when third-year center Chet Holmgren fractured his hip just ten games into the season. Despite such setbacks, including others like rotation players missing a number of games and rookie Ajay Mitchell sidelined with a toe injury for 10-12 weeks, the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience.
The upcoming Friday night game against the Utah Jazz is expected to showcase the Thunder’s core team in all its might for the first time this season. Their injury report lists only Mitchell and rookie Nikola Topic, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury before being drafted at No. 12. While Mitchell played a crucial role as a ball-handler for the Thunder’s second unit, his role in the core team was relatively peripheral.
Barring these two rookies, the Thunder is now in full health. The team’s front court will see the return of both Holmgren and Hartenstein, while the perimeter will be bolstered by the likes of Dort, Wallace, and Caruso. All-Star players Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams will aim to maintain their stellar performances, while vital players like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe will continue to make a significant impact.
In conclusion, fans are set to witness the Thunder’s full strength, with the exception of Mitchell, for the first time this year. We encourage fans to stay updated with the latest Thunder news by liking ‘Thunder on SI’ on Facebook and following us on Twitter. You can also meet the team behind the coverage. Our reporter, Derek Parker, who graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020, brings five seasons of experience covering multiple teams across the National Basketball Association.
