Oklahoma
Three Takeaways From OKC Thunder’s Blowout Loss to Hornets
The Oklahoma City Thunder were shocked by the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night in Paycom Center, losing 124-97. This is OKC’s second loss in as many days, losing last night in Phoenix to the Suns 108-105.
The Thunder’s record is now 30-7 and they are 6-6 in their last 12 games. The No. 1 seed in the Western Conference is playing its worst stretch of basketball in over two years.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points on 7-of-21 shooting to keep his 20-point streak alive. OKC shot a rough 28.2% from three-point range and 66.7% from the charity stripe.
Here are three takeaways from the Thunder’s 27-point home loss.
1. Inability to Make Shots
The glaring struggle for the Thunder tonight was on offense, with the team shooting 36.6% from the floor and 28.2% from three-point range. It’s difficult for any team to win shooting that poorly in a game.
The Thunder found open look after open look across the perimeter, but were unable to convert at a high rate. The Hornets were able to consistently help off of perimeter shooters to bring more defensive attention around Gilgeous-Alexander and inside the paint.
Poor shooting creates poor spacing and poor spacing creates ugly offensive execution. Poor spacing and shooting defined OKC’s woes against Charlotte.
2. Young and Hungry Hornets
Charlotte was by far the more energetic team in its win, amped up on both ends from start to finish, flying in for every loose ball. The young team came in looking to send Loud City home unhappy and they succeeded.
The Thunder were on the back end of an away/home back-to-back, having to quickly fly in from Phoenix to prepare for the game. The Hornets smelt blood in the water early, taking the game from their very first run.
After the game was tied at 33 at the end of the first quarter, Charlotte blazed into a 23-7 run throughout a large part of the second quarter to grasp a firm control of the flow of the game. The Thunder’s struggling offense could not find any momentum to claw back into the hole they fell into.
Charlotte’s shooting performance was remarkable from distance. With a plethora of shots taken with great difficulty, the Hornets managed to shoot 51.4% from three-point range.
The Hornets came in hungry and caught the reigning champions by surprise.
3. Gilgeous-Alexander Keeps Streak Alive Amid Struggles
Gilgeous-Alexander scoring above 20 points, with 21, to keep his historic 20-point streak alive, is the lone positive from a rough loss. Despite struggling through constant full-court pressure and double teams from the Hornets, the reigning MVP was able to muster just enough to keep his hunt for the record alive.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 7-of-21 from the floor and 1-of-6 from three in the loss, adding six assists to his totals. He was OKC’s only 20-point scorer on the night.
The Canadian’s streak of scoring 20-or-more points now sits at 108 games, 18 behind Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 126.
Oklahoma
What Oklahoma Does Better Than Texas and Why It Matters
During Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley era, the Sooners dominated Texas. Riley went 6–1 against the Longhorns, including a victory in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 1, 2018. However, things have been different over the last half-decade.
Brent Venables took over as the Sooners’ head coach in 2022, one year after Steve Sarkisian became the Longhorns’ lead man. Texas is 3–1 since Venables was appointed, with an average margin of victory over the Longhorns’ three wins of 32.3 points.
Texas is looking to extend its winning streak to three games for the first time since 1997–99. Oklahoma has one clear advantage, and while it has not mattered in previous matchups, it could define the 2026 edition.
Oklahoma’s Defense Could Cause Texas-Sized Problems
When Oklahoma’s defense lines up against the Texas offense, the two best units in the game will be on the field at the same time.
When it comes to the Red River Rivalry, it often feels as though preconceived notions about the team are irrelevant. The intensity and familiarity set both teams back to the basics. However, the matchup of the Longhorns’ offense and the Sooners’ defense will likely define this season’s rivalry game.
Last season, Oklahoma was carried by its defense to the College Football Playoff, with its offense doing just enough to get the job done. The Sooners were 79th in points per game (26.2) while allowing the seventh-fewest points per game (15.5).
There is optimism that Oklahoma’s offense will improve. Quarterback John Mateer could take the next step with Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris coming in to catch passes. However, the Sooners’ defense has been among the best in the country during Venables’ tenure and has come to characterize the program — a far cry from the Riley era.
Under Venables, Oklahoma has ranked inside the top 20 in each of the last three seasons in adjusted EPA per play allowed. Last season, it ranked second behind only Texas Tech, according to GameOnPaper. This includes top-three finishes in yards allowed per rush attempt (2.4, second) and sacks (45, third).
The Longhorns were productive on defense last season, ranking in the top 30 in points allowed per game. The defense was particularly impactful against the Sooners, dominating in all four quarters. In nearly every metric, though, Oklahoma outperformed its rival defensively last season.
|
Stat |
Texas Longhorns’ Defense (Rank) |
Oklahoma Sooners’ Defense (Rank) |
|---|---|---|
|
Rushing Yards Allowed per Attempt |
3.1 (12th) |
2.4 (2nd) |
|
EPA per Rush |
-0.05 (27th) |
-0.21 (2nd) |
|
Passing Yards Allowed per Attempt |
6.6 (38th) |
6.2 (22nd) |
|
EPA per Dropback |
-0.06 (33rd) |
-0.17 (9th) |
Over the last four matchups, however, this defensive production has been mostly meaningless. Texas is averaging 34 points per game and outpacing the Sooners’ season averages.
|
Season |
Oklahoma PPG Allowed |
Points Allowed vs. Texas |
Oklahoma YPG Allowed |
Yards Allowed vs. Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2022 |
30.0 |
49 |
461.0 |
585 |
|
2023 |
23.5 |
30 |
389.4 |
527 |
|
2024 |
21.5 |
34 |
318.2 |
406 |
|
2025 |
15.5 |
23 |
272.5 |
302 |
While this has been the case every season since Venables took over for OU, the Sooners have also steadily improved defensively. This has decreased the margin for error on the Longhorns’ side. Texas needs to take advantage of every opportunity it gets.
Last season, Texas missed multiple field goals. The Longhorns avoided disaster, though, by winning the turnover battle 3–0 and getting relentless pressure on Mateer. This season, they may not be as fortunate, as the Sooners will test the new-look Longhorns offense
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Follow
Oklahoma
Oklahoma data center boom sparks backlash as Yukon leaders, residents raise concerns
A contentious debate over water and growth is intensifying in Yukon as residents and city leaders grapple with the long-term costs of supplying major industrial projects, including a data center that uses up to 3 million gallons a day.
The discussion spilled into another packed Yukon City Council meeting, where residents learned how strained and expensive the city’s water outlook could be over the next 25 years.
Emotions ran high, with one resident comparing city leadership to a Nazi regime.
Yukon’s water supply plan examines eight options, including five aquifers, non-potable reuse water, direct potable reuse water, and purchasing 2 million gallons a day from Oklahoma City.
Projected costs exceed $200 million, with millions more expected over the next 25 years for operations and maintenance.
The data center was part of the conversation from the start of the water study, which began in late 2024.
The facility uses up to 3 million gallons a day to cool its servers. One option discussed for meeting that demand is a non-potable supply providing 3 million gallons a day, with $55.9 million in capital costs and a required 18-inch pipe stretching 3.5 miles.
The option is recommended to meet great industrial demands, including a data center.
Council member Rick Cacini said his focus is on residents’ needs rather than industrial users. Cacini said, “We had water problems 8 years ago when I started, and we have water problems today.”
Another council member raised the idea of taking cost out of the equation when considering whether to supply water to the data center.
Residents spoke out one after another against the data center after hearing details of the water plan and costs.
One resident referenced Piedmont, where two data center proposals were tabled on Monday. Another resident said, “It’s not a good deal for us, and the other cities know it already.”
Some residents escalated their criticism of city leadership. One resident said, “I voted for Pillmore, and I regret that vote more than anything probably I’ve ever done in my life because this feels like some nazi regime.”
Others called for city leaders to be recalled. “We will collect those signatures within 30 days, and we’re gonna remove you.”
Concerns also grew over the data center agreement, centered on the purchaser having an “out” while the seller does not.
The city manager was said to have gotten something wrong in August.
The meeting ended with Cacini threatening to sue Mayor Brian Pillmore over comments made in an early May meeting.
Pillmore was not at the meeting, saying he was on vacation with his family.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma AG files petition to block proposed smelting project in Inola
INOLA, Okla. — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a petition in Rogers County seeking to block a proposed aluminum-smelting facility in Inola.
According to Drummond, Emirates Global Aluminum holds a 60% controlling interest in the project. The company is based in the United Arab Emirates.
Century Aluminum, a company headquartered in Chicago, owns the remaining 40%.
If completed, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum would be the largest primary aluminum production plant in the United States. However, the facility would produce hazardous waste, which has raised concerns in both the Inola community and across the state. Billboards have been spotted along Highway 412 in Inola, warning others about the proposal.
The facility would also draw more than 1,000 megawatts of continuous energy.
“A primary aluminum smelter does not belong in a community’s backyard, and its emissions do not respect property lines,” Drummond said, adding that winds could carry pollutants into the surrounding northeastern Oklahoma communities. “The injury is imminent, it is grave, and it is irreparable.”
However, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has criticized Drummond’s actions, saying the facility would be one of the state’s largest economic development projects in history.
It is important to note that Drummond is currently running for Governor.
“As soon as President Trump made his endorsement in the governor’s race, Drummond dropped the act and showed his true colors,” said Stitt. “Now he is turning his machine against one of President Trump’s top priorities, once again weaponizing his office to settle scores instead of serving Oklahomans. President Trump’s aluminum project in Inola will rapidly grow Oklahoma’s economy and strengthen America’s supply chain for generations, while Drummond turns his back on our state in favor of cheap political gimmicks and personal gain.”
President Trump has endorsed Mike Mazzei in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial race. The Republican primary is scheduled for June 16.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
-
Austin, TX3 minutes agoHighly pathogenic virus found in herd of Texas dairy cows
-
Alabama8 minutes agoIs Tommy Tuberville an Alabama resident? GOP candidate challenges status
-
Alaska15 minutes agoUniversity of Alaska names U.S. Army commander as new UAF chancellor
-
Arizona18 minutes agoDiamondbacks Fans Can Now Vote for Arizona’s All-Stars
-
Arkansas23 minutes agoArkansas DFA Agents seize illegal products in Corning
-
California30 minutes agoCalifornia may take weeks to finalize primary results. ‘This is normal’
-
Colorado33 minutes agoColorado governor vetoes block on surveillance pricing as other states push for bans
-
Connecticut38 minutes agoAfternoon forecast for June 3