The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder initiated their season with a remarkable 24-1 record, sparking discussions about their potential for a historic run.
However, a subsequent 6-5 stretch of games has quieted such speculation. A shocking defeat at home to the Charlotte Hornets, who previously held a 12-23 record, occurred on Monday night, dropping the Thunder to 30-7 and effectively ending their pursuit of a 73-win regular season.
After an even 33-33 first quarter, the Hornets surged with a 34-17 second quarter, establishing a 67-50 halftime advantage in Oklahoma City. They maintained their lead decisively, securing a 124-97 victory that stands as arguably the most surprising outcome of the current NBA campaign.
Following the contest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP guard, stated, “Right from the start, it just appeared as though they were ahead of us in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.”
Is the Thunder squad performing as expected?
This loss marks the Thunder’s second consecutive defeat, coming after Devin Booker secured a victory for the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night with a last-second three-point shot. Oklahoma City has now dropped six of its most recent twelve contests. The San Antonio Spurs were responsible for three of those setbacks.
A period of even performance and one unexpected loss does not warrant concern for Oklahoma City, as the Thunder squad continues to be the top contender for the NBA championship. Nevertheless, the Thunder appear considerably less formidable currently compared to their initial blazing performance early in the season.
The Hornets dominated play across the entire court
The Hornets surpassed the Thunder in nearly all facets of the match. Their shooting percentages were superior from the field (53% versus 37%), from beyond the arc (51% compared to 28%), and from the free-throw line (92% against 67%).
They established a 52-34 lead in rebounds and demonstrated better ball movement, recording assists on 25 of their 41 successful field goals, in contrast to the Thunder’s 18 assists on 34 made baskets. Remarkably, Charlotte achieved this feat while playing the third consecutive game of their road journey.
Oklahoma City’s sole significant edge in the contest materialized as anticipated. The Thunder compelled the Hornets into 20 turnovers while experiencing only eight of their own. However, their aggressive defensive pressure proved insufficient to defeat a Hornets squad that displayed exceptional shooting accuracy when possession was maintained.
Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder’s starting center, missed his fourth consecutive match due to a calf strain. Alex Caruso was also sidelined. Aside from these absences, Oklahoma City fielded its complete lineup of primary players, featuring Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded OKC with 21 points and 6 assists, albeit in a notably unproductive performance, hitting 7 of 21 shots from the field. Holmgren contributed 15 points and 6 boards, while Williams registered 16 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds. Among the Thunder’s starting five, Aaron Wiggins (4 for 8) was the only player to achieve a 50% shooting rate.
Brandon Miller spearheaded the Hornets’ effort with 28 points and 6 rebounds, connecting on 7 of 10 attempts from downtown. Rising rookie marksman Kon Knueppel made 5 of 7 three-pointers, accumulating 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. LaMelo Ball also contributed to the perimeter scoring, hitting 4 of 7 from long range to achieve 16 points.
The Hornets are scheduled to head back to their home city of Charlotte to welcome the Raptors for a match on Wednesday evening. Concurrently, the Thunder will aim to recover and prepare for their home encounter with the Jazz, also on Wednesday.
