Why the OKC Thunder Must Not Dwell on Road Losses to Good Teams

A difficult Portland stretch

Oklahoma City came to Wednesday’s game hoping to answer a loss to Portland the previous night. In a close contest, the Thunder could not make the key plays late.

Ajay Mitchell and other players who missed Tuesday’s game were also unavailable Wednesday. That put the team at a disadvantage, though the article cautions that absences are not a lasting explanation for its results.

A changed season outlook

At 8-4, the Thunder have slipped toward the middle of the Western Conference standings early in the season. The article suggests that position could hold in a competitive West, at least until Chet Holmgren returns.

Oklahoma City entered the year with contender expectations, but those circumstances have shifted. A deep playoff run remains possible, though matching last season’s No. 1 seed appears unlikely.

Priorities for the coming weeks

The immediate aim is to stay afloat by winning as many games as possible, especially against teams in the league’s bottom half. Protecting home court is also a priority.

The Thunder have the LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings left on this road trip. The article says Oklahoma City should be able to return home with a 10-4 record, while stressing that the team should not treat the recent Portland defeats as a defining concern.

A lighter schedule ahead

The article contrasts the current stretch with Oklahoma City’s 24-1 start last season, saying the team’s near-term priority should be to remain a few games above .500 through the calendar turn. From now until the end of December, seven of the Thunder’s 20 games are against teams that made last season’s playoffs; three of those are on the road. The schedule may offer a chance to stabilize after the Portland losses.