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The Western Conference's No. 1-seeded OKC Thunder are still waiting to find out who will be their first-round playoff opponent. They will match up against the winner of Friday's play-in tournament showdown between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.
The Thunder (57-25) had a dominant regular season, finishing with a top-three offensive rating (118.3) and a top-four defensive rating (111.0). Meanwhile, they have one of the league's premier MVP candidates in superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Given its elite two-way play, the franchise appears poised to make noise in its first playoff appearance since 2020. However, OKC still has a few key areas of concern entering the postseason, which have left some questioning its status as the West's top team.
Top 5 concerns for OKC Thunder ahead of NBA playoffs
#5. Getting to the free-throw line consistently
The Thunder were an elite free-throw shooting team this season, finishing fourth in free-throw percentage (82.5%). However, outside of Gilgeous-Alexander, they struggled to get to the line consistently, ranking 17th in free-throw attempts per game (21.5).
In the playoffs, defenses tighten up and games start slowing down, making it crucial to draw fouls. So, it would bode well for OKC to do so more often to capitalize on its elite free-throw shooting efficiency.
#4. Josh Giddey's below-average 3-point shooting
The Thunder led the league in 3-point percentage this season (38.9%). Nonetheless, third-year guard Josh Giddey's below-average 3-point shooting has negatively affected the team.
Over 80 games, Giddey shot just 33.7% from deep on 3.0 attempts per game, with opponents regularly leaving him open. He also shot only 40.5% on jumpers overall. If the 21-year-old's shooting struggles continue in the playoffs, opposing teams could make OKC pay.
Thus, it could be forced to bench Giddey for extended stretches, sacrificing some of its size and playmaking.
#3. Limited size/frontcourt depth
Big man Chet Holmgren had a sensational rookie season, anchoring the Thunder's top-four defense while adding spacing offensively. Meanwhile, he played in all 82 games after missing all last season due to a right foot injury. However, outside of Holmgren (7-foot-1), the Thunder don't have another 7-footer on their roster.
Many expected OKC to add a reliable backup big man at the trade deadline, but its top trade-deadline acquisition was veteran forward Gordon Hayward.
The Thunder later signed veteran center Bismack Biyombo on the buyout market. However, the 31-year-old is an undersized big man (6-foot-8) with a limited skill set.
Thus, OKC will be forced to rely extremely heavily on Holmgren in the postseason. Even a minor injury to the rookie could derail its hopes of making a deep playoff run.
#2. Sub-par rebounding
As a result of their lack of size, the Thunder are one of the NBA's worst rebounding teams, finishing 27th in rebounds per game (42.0).
This could be problematic for OKC, as the league's top-four rebounding players are all in the West. That includes the NBA's No. 1 rebounder, Sacramento Kings star center Domantas Sabonis (13.7 rpg), whom they could match up against in Round 1.
However, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault seemingly isn't worried about his team's rebounding struggles, as its smaller lineups have allowed it to play a faster-paced transition-oriented offense.
"A lot of nights we lose the rebounding battle," Daigneault said last month. "And as long as the benefit continues to outweigh the cost, we're going to continue to accept the trade-offs. We're not going to be a perfect team."
#1. Lack of playoff experience
While the Thunder have arguably the NBA's top young core, they lack playoff experience. Their starting five have never played in a single playoff series together. Meanwhile, three of their five starters (Holmgren, Giddey and Jalen Williams) have zero playoff experience.
Starters Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort have played a combined 19 playoff games. However, their last postseason appearances came in 2020. So, Gilgeous-Alexander has never experienced a playoff run as a bona fide No. 1 scoring option.
While it isn't impossible for young teams to win in the playoffs, they typically have to take their lumps before becoming serious NBA title threats. So, OKC's experience deficit could prevent it from living up to its No. 1 seed.
Guess the Lakers players!
