Oklahoma City Thunder audacious forecasts following the NBA All-Star break in 2024

This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have proven to be among the NBA’s most remarkable teams. They are 37-17 and in second place in the Western Conference going into the NBA All-Star break.

There are several rising talents on the Thunder, despite its youth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, has become one of the top players in the NBA. The 25-year-old is making 37.1 percent of his three-pointers and 54.6 percent of his field goals. SGA is a front-runner for MVP after making the All-NBA First Team this season.

The Thunder are led by Gilgeous-Alexander, who is surrounded by rising talent. With a fantastic rookie season so far, Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. The 21-year-old centre is making 39.3 percent of his shots from downtown and 53.5 percent from the floor. As a shooter and scorer, Holmgren has made a significant contribution. He is competing against youngster Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs for youngster of the Year.

Jalen Williams, another forward with the Thunder, is enjoying a fantastic second season. Many players experience a sophomore slump, but J-Dub has not experienced one. Averaging 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, the 22-year-old is impressive. He is hitting 45.3 percent of long shots and 54.5 percent of field goals. Williams is one of the shining rising stars of today’s game because of his two-way skill.

A strong core surrounds Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams in Oklahoma City. They have a great roster that can help them go far in the playoffs. Now that we’ve covered that ground, let’s get to our audacious predictions for the Thunder following the 2024 NBA All-Star Break.

With his incredible season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a good chance of winning MVP. Only Nikola Jokic is ahead of the 25-year-old standout guard in second position on the MVP rankings. The big man for the Denver Nuggets has been named the MVP twice and finished second in the previous campaign. He is shooting 35.2 percent from outside the arc and 57.7 percent from the field, averaging 26.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 8.9 assists.

Jokic’s statistics are unquestionable, and he has helped the Denver Nuggets to a 36-19 record. But Gilgeous-Alexander has a strong argument to defeat Jokic and take home the prise. With outstanding efficiency, SGA is second in the league in points per game. He leads the league in thefts per game, more evidence of his ability to have an influence on defence. Gilgeous-Alexander has guided them to the second-best record in the West and are only 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for first place in the conference despite having a youthful squad.

Gilgeous-Alexander ought to win MVP if he can keep up his good play and lead Oklahoma City to a higher record than Denver.

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There is fierce competition among the Thunder for the first seed in the Western Conference. The top four teams in the conference—the Timberwolves, Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and Nuggets—are separated by just three games.

Being ranked as the second seed in the rankings has startled the NBA. But the Thunder will have to contend with the Clippers and Nuggets, two seasoned teams, in the second half of the season. Given how tight the standings are, Los Angeles and Denver have rosters with far more experience and might defeat Oklahoma City.

To maintain second place in the West, the Thunder will need Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams—three of their young stars—to keep up their strong play in the last few games. They have the talent to win, and as they battle the Clippers and Nuggets, each game will be crucial.