The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder hope they’re turning a nook after a tough stretch.
Heading into their dwelling sport on Sunday towards the Miami Warmth, Thunder star Jalen Williams mentioned he felt just like the staff had discovered some classes. They’ve gained two consecutive video games, popping out of their current 6-6 stretch after an unbelievable 24-1 begin. Oklahoma Metropolis nonetheless has the very best report within the NBA.
“We virtually received a bit of comfy in a means the place you are simply beating groups and anticipating to win and we did not have, I might say, sufficient humility or humbleness going about how we have been successful the video games,” Williams mentioned. “… I do not assume we have been going in regards to the course of the best means the final couple video games.”
That discomfort with the strategy prolonged into an time beyond regulation win on Wednesday over Utah after which by means of a giant a part of a 117-116 win on Friday in Memphis.
Oklahoma Metropolis fell behind by 21 early within the third quarter earlier than clawing again to win.
“I believe we did a very good job of getting again to who we’re,” Williams mentioned of the way in which the Thunder closed that victory.
Oklahoma Metropolis pulled off that victory and not using a trio of starters, together with reigning Most Helpful Participant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, who’s making a push for what could be his first All-Star look.
Each are anticipated to play Sunday, whereas Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) stays sidelined for the eighth consecutive sport.
The Thunder could have key reserve Jaylin Williams accessible for the primary time since Dec. 13 after he missed 13 video games with heel bursitis.
The Thunder-Warmth matchup will showcase two of the very best defenses within the league.
Oklahoma Metropolis leads the NBA with a 105.4 defensive ranking — factors allowed per 100 possessions — whereas Miami is fourth at 111.8.
“They play protection,” Williams mentioned of the Warmth. “They play protection how we do. They’re bodily, they play exhausting. Everyone out there may be prideful about protection and that speaks loads to that group.”
Miami hasn’t overwhelmed Oklahoma Metropolis since January 2023, however the Warmth have not made it straightforward on the Thunder.
“The bar with that staff may be very excessive,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “It is an awesome staff to check your self towards. I like once we play towards them as a result of it is a sport that you must earn in case you get it; in case you do not, they will train you a lesson.”
Sunday’s sport is the primary of two between the groups this season, with the opposite coming in simply six days in Miami.
The Warmth have misplaced back-to-back video games to begin their three-game highway journey, together with a 123-99 loss to the Pacers on Saturday.
Miami will likely be searching for a greater begin, after falling behind 36-12 simply 10 minutes into the loss at Indiana.
“We wish to get again on the market,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned, “however we wish to have a greater model of ourselves by way of mentality, ardour, connectivity, all that stuff that is put us in place to win video games this 12 months.”
The Warmth are nonetheless seeking to discover some cohesiveness among the many starters after two video games because the return of Tyler Herro from an prolonged absence resulting from an damage to his proper large toe.
“We have to maintain working at it,” Herro mentioned. “… All of us wish to make it work. We have simply received to make it work.”
–Discipline Stage Media
