Oklahoma Metropolis misplaced the sport of the season on Wednesday however had no hangover at Madison Sq. Backyard.
The Thunder dominated the New York Knicks on Friday on the earth’s most well-known area, simply two days after ending their 15-game profitable streak in Cleveland. Though dropping on the highway to the most effective group within the league and instantly having one other away sport in opposition to a prime group might spell doom for a lot of groups, the Thunder’s resilience was no shock.
This season, the Thunder have misplaced seven video games, together with the NBA Cup Finals, and are 6-1 within the video games that instantly observe. Whereas it is not at all times simple to reply after a loss, the Thunder often discover a technique to preserve the losses from piling up. The one time the Thunder misplaced consecutive video games this season was within the quick stretch with out Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein.
Within the Thunder’s seven video games following a loss, they’ve a mean rating differential of +12.4 and have been notably spectacular offensively. Of the Thunder’s 9 video games scoring at the least 125 factors this season, 4 got here instantly after a loss.
A part of the Thunder’s potential to maneuver ahead rapidly after losses is the id that has been established over the previous 5 seasons. Since Mark Daigneault turned head coach, nearly each participant who has handed by way of Oklahoma Metropolis has echoed his mantra of being 0-0 each sport.
Whereas different groups within the league, just like the Thunder’s opponent Friday in New York, can expertise excessive highs and lows, the Thunder have managed to remain balanced in all conditions.
One other vital a part of Oklahoma Metropolis’s responses after a loss was the MVP play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In opposition to the Knicks, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 factors on 15-of-21 taking pictures and obtained anyplace he wished on the courtroom. Whereas his abilities result in wins most nights, his consistency is particularly useful in getting the group again on observe.
Because the Thunder head towards a 60-plus win season, they will not have many alternatives to bounce again from a loss. But each time the Thunder fail, they at all times make an announcement the following time they take the courtroom.
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