The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best teams in the NBA. Following an elimination in last season’s Western Conference Semifinals, an NBA Finals appearance in the 2024-2025 season is an expectation. The Thunder have only had one Finals appearance and have yet to win it all.
Here is a closer look at some obstacles they may face returning to the grandest stage.
Conquering the Western Conference
Though Oklahoma City finished last season as the #1 seed in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks finished as conference champions. The Thunder were championship-bound but ultimately fell short. In a consistently stacked and competitive Western Conference, the path to the NBA Finals is never easy. Conquering a conference earns an appearance under the brightest lights, and while difficult, the Thunder have to get it done.
While being one of the most favored teams to accomplish the conference champion feat, other squads will also have a shot at the title. The Mavericks, along with the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves highlight the other teams favored to finish atop the West and will be the main obstacle for Oklahoma City in getting to the Finals. Other talented teams and superstars will also stand in the way and create a difficult path to the promised land.
Creating Team Success
Following a finish that was just short of their ultimate goal, the Oklahoma City Thunder are anxiously waiting for another chance at glory. With multiple roster moves and upgrades over the offseason, team success should come naturally. The team will likely rely heavily on its defensive abilities and strengths, but their offense could be amongst the best in the league as well. Stars like Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams will be the leading trio for the 2024-2025 Thunder squad. They make up one of the best trios in the NBA, and overall rank highly as a team.
Though they are favored to find success, it does not mean it will happen. The team has one of the youngest rosters in the league, and the NBA is as competitive as it has ever been. Being in the West immediately makes the path harder, and the Thunder have run into that problem since 2013. While things are looking to trend upwards for them, there are no guarantees that they will be able to do what previous Thunder teams could not. Oklahoma City has one of the brightest futures in the NBA, but how bright has yet to be answered.
Final Thoughts
Overall, you can likely bet on seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder come playoff time, and they could potentially be championship contenders. With a stacked roster, a great coach and front office, and one of the best fanbases in sports, Oklahoma City has created a powerhouse. The ultimate goal is winning a championship, and nothing is more important to the organization.
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