The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . The Thunder's previous incarnation, the Seattle SuperSonics, were formed in 1967.The franchise's titles include three Western Conference championships and one NBA title in 1979.
On September 3, 2008, the team name, logo, and colors for the Oklahoma City franchise were revealed to the public. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The SuperSonics qualified for the NBA Playoffs 22 times, won their division six times and won the 1979 NBA Championship. In Oklahoma City, the Thunder qualified for their first playoff berth during the 2009-10 season. They followed this success by winning their first division title as the Thunder in the 2010-11 season and their first Western Conference championship as the Thunder in the 2011-12 season, appearing in the NBA Finals for the fourth time in franchise history and first since 1996. Their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The SuperSonics had a 1745-1585 win -loss record in the regular season and 107-110 record in the Playoffs. Some of the prominent players to have played for SuperSonics/Thunder include Reggie Jackson, Kevin Durant, Gus Williams, Jeremy Lamb, Kendrick Perkins etc.
After having James Harden go during the off season, the Thunder decided to re-sign Serge Ibaka to a four-year deal worth $48 million. This was Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant's team though. They were the two pillars the franchise built around. They only fell to San Antonio Spurs in Western Conference Finals as the Spurs won 4-2.
After having injuries play a major part in disrupting their season, the Thunder nearly made the playoff, only losing out to New Orleans Pelicans due to a tiebreaker. Durant was ruled out for the rest of the season in March after he decided to go ahead with a foot surgery. Westbrook was a contender for the MVP but fell short due to injuries and the team having not qualified for the playoffs. However, he did win the scoring title.
Billy Donovan was hired as the head coach ahead of the 2015-16 season. It was shaping up to be their season as they went up against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. After having lead the series 3-1, the Thunder crumbled and blew their lead as the Warriors won in seven.
The off season was filled with speculations as to where Kevin Durant's future lies. And after months of speculating, Durant decided to move to the Warriors. Westbrook meanwhile agreed to contract extension with OKC and was the MVP for the season, after being tied for the most triple-doubles in a season (41) with Oscar Robertson.
The very next season saw the OKC Thunder sign Paul George in a trade which saw Victor Oladipo and Damontas Sabonis go to Indiana Pacers. They also acquired Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. They finished the regular season with a 48-34 record and lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round of playoffs.
After continuous disappointments in the first round of playoffs, OKC decided to trade Paul George to the LA Clippers in return for Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a record collection of future first round picks. While Westbrook was traded to the Houston Rockets in return for Chris Paul, two future first-round draft picks, and the rights to two future pick swaps with the Rockets.
Oklahoma City Thunder Record - Last 10 Seasons
| Season | Division Finish | Conference Finish | Record | Playoffs |
| 2018-19 | 4th | 6th | 49-33 | Lost First Round |
| 2017-18 | 2nd | 4th | 48-34 | Lost First Round |
| 2016-17 | 2nd | 6th | 47-35 | Lost First Round |
| 2015-16 | 1st | 3rd | 55-27 | Lost Conf Finals |
| 2014-15 | 2nd | 9th | 45-37 | - |
| 2013-14 | 1st | 2nd | 59-23 | Lost Conf Finals |
| 2012-13 | 1st | 1st | 60-22 | Lost Conf Semifinals |
| 2011-12 | 1st | 2nd | 47-19 | Lost NBA Finals |
| 2010-11 | 1st | 4th | 55-27 | Lost Conf Finals |
| 2009-10 | 4th | 8th | 50-32 | Lost First Round |
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