Oklahoma
Thunder In Review: Oklahoma City Starts Season Strong, Wear Down Lakers
Each recreation has its personal story.
All through the week on SI Thunder, we’ll be breaking down the twists and turns, wins and losses, and rising storylines all through the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 2021-22 marketing campaign.
At the moment, Oklahoma Metropolis’s first 14 video games come to the desk.
The Thunder entered the season with extra benchmarks forward than expectations. Loaded with 10 prospects aged 23-or-under, Mark Daigneault’s crew had been critiqued early resulting from their general inexperience and lack of a steady middle. Nonetheless, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming back from a long-term damage and No. 6 Decide Josh Giddey slated to log NBA minutes – there have been a number of potential storylines at hand.
A transparent studying curve was in play to open the season, as four-consecutive losses, headlined by a 33-point loss to the Houston Rockets, pushed them to the underside of the standings. Then, they strolled into Laker city.
After trailing 56-30 within the second quarter, Oklahoma Metropolis tied their largest comeback in franchise historical past, rallying behind a 41-point third body to defeat the Lakers 123-115.
The Thunder’s California tour continued over the week, falling to the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Then, the Lakers have been again in motion – and so have been the comebacks.
In a contest that noticed Los Angeles grasp a 19-point lead, Oklahoma Metropolis rallied a clutch-time 35-24 fourth-quarter run to the Lakers by three. Gilgeous-Alexander’s star efforts shined on the sport, busting out 11 fourth-quarter factors emphasised with a 34-foot bomb from the emblem.
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The Thunder’s L.A. tour planted a seed to start out November because the group wrung out three extra three-consecutive single-digit wins – blazing previous the Spurs, Pelicans, and Kings. After the conclusion of their four-game streak, Daigneault’s crew had encroached on Play-In territory. Oklahoma Metropolis’s regular 5-6 begin swung the pendulum because the Los Angeles Clippers’ decide, owned by the Thunder, carried extra draft worth on the time.
A mid-month sputter noticed the group draw three video games beneath .500 earlier than Oklahoma Metropolis bought their revenge in opposition to the Houston Rockets, cashing in a 12-point victory behind 34 factors from Lu Dort.
By the closure of their first 14 – Oklahoma Metropolis drew a 6-8 document, maintaining themselves within the Play-In dialog.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s opening assertion to the common season had a bevy of highs. Pushed by Gilgeous-Alexander, the 23-year-old had not misplaced a step, averaging 21.1 factors and 4.6 assists to open play.
Josh Giddey shot down naysayers as he made important strides because the secondary playmaker, opening his first 14 video games averaging 9.4 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. Giddey’s play yielded severe stat traces early, together with an 18-point, 10-rebound recreation in opposition to the Lakers.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl confirmed the makings of a draft steal, snagging the beginning middle spot 5 video games into the season as a pick-and-pop 5 subsequent to SGA.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s first month of play mapped a tough blueprint. However, as showcased within the following video games, their cluster of potential grew far past expectations.
Wish to be a part of the dialogue? Like SI Thunder on Fb and follow us on Twitter to remain updated on all the most recent Thunder information. You too can meet the workforce behind the protection.
Oklahoma
Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla.–– Alabama has one final road test to pass in the regular season if it wants to compete for an SEC title and make it back to the College Football Playoff.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide plays at Oklahoma on Saturday night in the first matchup as conference foes in the SEC. BamaCentral will have coverage all night from Norman. Follow along for updates.
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(latest updates at the top)
Who: Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-4)
When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts).
Series: Oklahoma leads 3-2-1
Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff 45-34. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while the Crimson Tide rushed for 200 yards across 42 carries between Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated Mercer 52-7 at home behind three touchdowns from Jalen Milroe and two touchdowns from Ryan Williams. The Alabama defense forced three more turnovers as they’ve now forced 16 in the last five games, making life challenging on opposing offenses.
Last time out, Oklahoma: The Sooners were off this past week, but went to Missouri two weeks ago and lost 30-23 after losing a fumble for a touchdown in the game’s final minutes. Oklahoma’s played five conference games and only won at Auburn this season.
Oklahoma
Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma
After falling twice away from home already this season, No. 7 Alabama will look to avoid a potential trap game in its final road trip of the regular season. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 5-2 in the SEC) will visit Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
This will be the seventh matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series, but the Tide won the most recent meeting, recording a 45-34 victory in the 2018 Orange Bowl. Alabama is currently a 14-point favorite for Saturday’s game, according to the Caesars Sportsbook.
Here’s how Tide Illustrated’s staff thinks the game will play out.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Offers 2026 Bixby DB Braeden Presley
The stark reality of the Cowboys future on the gridiron is up in the air. Can Oklahoma State bounce back in 2025 following one of the worst football seasons in years? Will the Pokes return next season and play with a chip on their shoulder? Only time will tell and the best way to improve the football team is for the coaching staff to hit the recruiting trail hard.
Oklahoma State will say goodbye to one of the greatest statistical wide receivers to ever wear the Cowboy orange. Senior Brennan Presley has been the cornerstone of the receiving core for the past four seasons. He is the all-time receptions leader in Oklahoma State history and has caught more than two passes in nearly every game since his sophomore season.
The offense won’t be the same in 2025 with Presley snagging catches across the middle, but the fans of Cowboy football won’t have to wait long as a familiar name will be entering the mix straight out of the class of 2026.
On Thursday, Oklahoma State looked to make it the Presley trifecta when they offered the youngest of the bunch, 2026 Bixby star Braeden Presley. Older brothers Brennan and Braylin both committed to Oklahoma State out of high school. Brennan hung around to become the all-time receptions leader in school history while Braylin transferred to Tulsa.
Braeden is the biggest brother of the bunch and measures in at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, according to 247Sports. He is unranked at the moment but still has a full season of football yet to play. The interest continues to grow for Braeden who has drawn offers from Tulsa, Boston College and Kansas.
Oklahoma State joined the mix on Thursday and is hoping to use its family ties to lock up their third straight Presley. Little is known about Presley on the field, and he has proven this season that he is a jack of all trades. He has logged a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and passing touchdown this season for the Spartans of Bixby.
A majority of his highlights have come on the defensive side of the football. He has 27 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024 for a Bixby team who is searching for yet another Class 5A State Championship.
The fans of Oklahoma State football may not have to wait very long to have a Presley once again under the lights of Boone Pickens Stadium.
Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
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