Key Dates on OKC Thunder Schedule

With the 2022-23 NBA season on the horizon, groups and followers are gearing up for an action-packed yr. Pleasure grew additional when the season schedule was launched on August 17, giving viewers a take a look at the marquee matchups to control over the following 82 video games.

Oklahoma Metropolis’s schedule just isn’t one in every of intrigue within the eye of the nationwide media, partially as a consequence of a scarcity of publicity. The Thunder will play a whopping complete of 1 nationally televised sport this yr, whereas the Golden State Warriors will play 30 common season video games in entrance of a nationwide viewers.

Regardless of the dearth of acknowledgement, OKC has an vital season upcoming. Growing the group’s franchise cornerstones and educating them to play cohesively in the identical system would be the Thunder’s prime precedence in 2022-23.

Right here’s a take a look at among the key video games on OKC’s schedule.

Minnesota Timberwolves, October 19

Oklahoma Metropolis opens its season in Minneapolis towards Timberwolves, a group who received the play-in event final yr. For Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren, returning to Minnesota is a homecoming. Sadly, a foot harm suffered in a Professional-Am sport over the summer season will stop the rookie heart from suiting up in his hometown.

Minnesota Timberwolves, October 23

The Thunder’s residence opener will see the younger franchise meet the Timberwolves for the second time in 4 days. The Wolves added three-time Defensive Participant of the Yr Rudy Gobert within the offseason to pair with all-star ahead Karl-Anthony Cities. Minnesota’s new frontcourt duo offers the Thunder, a group who allowed probably the most rebounds within the NBA a season in the past, a tall process defending within the paint.

Orlando Magic, November 1

The Thunder take the court docket at residence towards No. 1 total decide Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on November 1 in what will likely be each franchises’ lone nationally televised contest. The highest two picks within the 2022 NBA Draft had been slated to share the court docket, however Holmgren’s harm derailed the sport’s major narrative. Even with out the Gonzaga product on the ground, this matchup will draw a comparability between the success of every organizations’ rebuilding efforts.

Houston Rockets, February 15

One other rival on the trail to future success, the Thunder will tackle Houston within the group’s closing sport previous to the all-star break. Houston’s rebuild is on the identical timeline as Oklahoma Metropolis, breeding a rivalry between the 2 franchises. In actual fact, Rocket’s star Jalen Inexperienced and Thunder guard Josh Giddey had been chosen solely 4 picks aside within the 2021 NBA Draft.

A house victory heading into the season’s midway mark would give OKC confidence that its rebuild is on target.

Utah Jazz, February 23

The Thunder hit the highway popping out of the all-star break, heading to Salt Lake Metropolis to face off towards the Utah Jazz. Utah has lately embraced Oklahoma Metropolis’s blueprint to small market success; tanking.

The Jazz traded each Gobert and all-star guard Donovan Mitchell over the summer season, giving OKC a a lot simpler pathway to victory within the Beehive State.

Memphis Grizzlies, April 9

The Thunder wrap up the common season at residence towards a Memphis squad that beat Oklahoma Metropolis by a record-setting 73 factors final season.

With robust defensive additions alongside the perimeter, OKC goals to rinse the style of final yr’s blowout loss with a win towards the Western Convention’s No. 2 seed. The Thunder should stop Grizzlies all-star guard Ja Morant from working deep into the paint and dishing to sharpshooters like Desmond Bane to remain within the sport. 

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