The 4 Play-In Teams Ranked for the Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrapped up a successful regular season with a win against the New Orleans Pelicans going 68-14. Unfortunately, the Thunder were unable to be the third team to reach 70 wins in a season. Regardless, they had one of the best seasons by an NBA team in history breaking multiple NBA records. Since the Thunder claimed the number one seed they will have to wait till Friday to find out who they will be playing in round one, but they know the possible four teams it could be that are in the Play-In.

The Thunder will end up playing either the loser of the 7th and 8th seed game or the winner of the 9th and 10th seed game. The four teams in the Play-In are the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and the Dallas Mavericks. Let’s dive in and rank these teams based on who the Thunder would much rather play in round one.

4. Golden State Warriors

The one team the Thunder doesn’t want to see in round one would be the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are one of just five teams to beat the Thunder more than once this year. In addition, the Thunder are 1-2 in the three games against the Warriors, with all three coming before the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler. The Warriors have the most playoff experience of the four teams the Thunder could end up playing, which would be a huge disadvantage for the Thunder who don’t have a lot of playoff experience.

The Warriors have a four-time champion, two-time MVP Steph Curry still playing at an elite level even at the age of 37. Then you pair that up with Butler aka “Playoff Jimmy” as he elevates his game drastically in the playoffs, this is a duo the Thunder don’t want to go against, especially in round one. The last time the Warriors were this good on paper they won the finals back in 2022.

3. Dallas Mavericks

Even though the Dallas Mavericks are the 10th seed in the West and lost Kyrie Irving for the year due to a torn ACL, this is another team the Thunder doesn’t want to see. The Mavericks were the team to eliminate the Thunder last year in the playoffs however, they had Luka Doncic last year and they won’t this year if they end up playing each other. Regardless, the Mavericks are the only team in the NBA to beat the Thunder three times and all three victories came without Luka. The Mavs did add, Anthony Davis who has given the Thunder some problems in the past.

Some teams just have your number in the NBA and for the last two years, the Mavericks have had the Thunders number. In addition, the NBA playoffs are all about matchups and the Mavericks are just a bad matchup for the Thunder. The reason they aren’t ahead of the Warriors is because of the injury to Irving which should make the Mavericks an easier challenge than the Warriors.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies would be the first team the Thunder wouldn’t mind seeing in round one. They recently just fired their head coach and usually, teams don’t do well in the playoffs let alone make the playoffs when firing your coach mid-season. In addition, the Thunder went 4-0 against them this year and they have a current nine-game winning streak against them. It just seems like the Thunder have Memphis’ number and play well against them.

The reason they aren’t the best option for the Thunder in round one is because of the talent the Grizzlies still have. The big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane will be a tough out for any team. However, the Thunder have a big three of their own with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren that can match the Grizzlies. This would be a series or team the Thunder should win in four or five games.

1. Sacramento Kings

The best option for the Thunder to play in round one is the Sacramento Kings. The Thunder beat the Kings in all three of their matchups just like the Thunder did to the Grizzlies. The Kings also traded away their best player De’Aaron Fox at the trade deadline. After that, the Kings weren’t expected to make the playoffs or the Play-In tournament. If the Kings can make it out of the Play-In and match up with the Thunder, this would be the best-case scenario for the Thunder.

Finally, the Kings have very little playoff experience and this core was recently assembled. Notably, this might be the only series the Thunder could have where they have more playoff experience than their opponent. This would be a huge advantage for the Thunder and the only matchup where the Thunder should sweep their opponent and not give up a game like they could in a series against the Grizzlies.

The Last Word

The Play-In bracket fell as well as it could for the Thunder, the bigger threats to them like the Timberwolves, and Nuggets were able to avoid the play-in. Whoever the Thunder face in the first round it should be an easier first-round matchup compared to future rounds for the Thunder in potential matchups. However, the Thunder would much rather face the Grizzlies or the Kings instead of the Warriors or Mavericks. Regardless of who they play the Thunder are hopeful for a long and successful playoff journey that lasts until June.

The post The 4 Play-In Teams Ranked for the Thunder appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.