The Oklahoma City Thunder were founded in 1967 as the Seattle SuperSonics. In 2008, the team moved to Oklahoma City after the city of Seattle could not find a buyer for the team. The Thunder have made the playoffs 10 times since moving to Oklahoma City, including the 2012 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat.
The Thunder are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 6’6″ guard who was drafted by the Thunder with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic scorer and playmaker who is averaging 23.7 points and 5.9 assists per game for his career.
- Team Name: The Oklahoma City Thunder is an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City.
- Short Name: The Thunder are often referred to as the “TB”.
- Team Owner(s): The Thunder are currently owned by Clay Bennett and the ownership group of the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics.
- Prominent Players: Some of the Thunder’s most prominent players include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, Darius Bazley, and Derrick Favors.
The Thunder also have a young and talented supporting cast led by Josh Giddey, a 6’8″ guard who was drafted by the Thunder with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Giddey is a pass-first point guard who is averaging 12.5 points and 7.8 assists per game for his career.
The Thunder are a young and rebuilding team, but they have a bright future with a talented core of players. They are hoping to make the playoffs again in the near future.
History about Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Team
The Oklahoma City Thunder were founded in 1967 as the Seattle Super Sonics. The team was originally owned by Sam Schulman, who had also owned the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets. The Super Sonics played their home games at the Seattle Center Coliseum.
The SuperSonics made the playoffs 17 times in their 41 seasons in Seattle, including the 1979 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Washington Bullets. The team’s most famous player was probably Gary Payton, who played for the SuperSonics from 1990 to 2003. Payton was a 9-time All-Star and 9-time All-Defensive First Team selection.
In 2008, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City after the city of Seattle could not find a buyer for the team. The team was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder and began playing their home games at the Ford Center (now known as Paycom Center).
The Thunder have made the playoffs 10 times since moving to Oklahoma City, including the 2012 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Miami Heat. The team’s most famous player since moving to Oklahoma City is Kevin Durant, who played for the Thunder from 2008 to 2016. Durant was a 10-time All-Star and 4-time scoring champion.
Here are some of the team’s most notable moments in history, year by year:
- 1979: The SuperSonics make the NBA Finals for the first and only time in franchise history. They lose to the Washington Bullets in 7 games.
- 1996: Gary Payton is named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
- 2005: The SuperSonics make the playoffs for the first time in 6 years. They are swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
- 2008: The SuperSonics move to Oklahoma City and are renamed the Thunder.
- 2010: The Thunder draft Kevin Durant with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.
- 2011: The Thunder make the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1996. They lose to the Dallas Mavericks in 5 games.
- 2012: The Thunder make the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history. They lose to the Miami Heat in 5 games.
- 2013: The Thunder win 60 games in the regular season, their most since moving to Oklahoma City. They lose to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
- 2014: The Thunder trade James Harden to the Houston Rockets.
- 2016: Kevin Durant leaves the Thunder in free agency to join the Golden State Warriors.
- 2017: The Thunder draft Russell Westbrook with the 4th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
- 2018: The Thunder make the playoffs for the ninth straight season. They lose to the Utah Jazz in the first round.
- 2019: The Thunder trade Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers.
- 2020: The Thunder finish with the worst record in the NBA.
- 2021: The Thunder draft Josh Giddey with the sixth overall pick in the NBA Draft.
- 2022: The Thunder finish with the fifth-worst record in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a rich history, both as the Seattle SuperSonics and as the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have made the playoffs 17 times and have been to the NBA Finals twice. The team has a bright future with a talented core of young players. They are hoping to make the playoffs again in the near future.thumb_upthumb_downuploadGoogle itmore_vert
Coaching Staff Information about Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Team
Head Coach:
Mark Daigneault is the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was hired in 2020 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach with the Thunder. Daigneault is a defensive-minded coach who is known for his ability to develop young players.
Assistant Coaches:
- Chip Engelland:
Engelland is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been with the team since 2018 and has also worked as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Engelland is a shooting expert who is known for his ability to help players improve their shooting mechanics.
- Grant Gibbs:
Gibbs is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was hired in 2021 after spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz. Gibbs is a player development coach who is known for his work with young players.
- Dave Bliss:
Bliss is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been with the team since 2016 and has also worked as an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. Bliss is a veteran coach who is known for his ability to connect with players and help them improve their games.
- Mike Wilks:
Wilks is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was hired in 2022 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Wilks is a defensive-minded coach who is known for his ability to help teams improve their communication and execution on that end of the floor.
- David Akinyooye:
Akinyooye is an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been with the team since 2021 and has also worked as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. Akinyooye is a player development coach who is known for his work with young players.
Video Coordinator:
- Kevin Hanson:
Hanson is the video coordinator for the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has been with the team since 2016 and is responsible for breaking down film and providing the coaching staff with insights on the opposing team.
The Thunder’s coaching staff is a mix of experienced and up-and-coming coaches. They are all known for their ability to develop young players and their commitment to defense. The team is hoping that their coaching staff can help them build a championship contender in the near future.
Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Team information about players
| Name | Jersey | Position | Height | Weight | Yr High School | 2024 Rating |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 6 | PG | 6’6″ | 207 lbs | 2017 | 94 |
| Josh Giddey | 12 | PG | 6’8″ | 205 lbs | 2021 | 84 |
| Luguentz Dort | 5 | SG | 6’4″ | 215 lbs | 2018 | 78 |
| Darius Bazley | 30 | SF | 6’9″ | 225 lbs | 2019 | 77 |
| Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | 3 | PF | 6’9″ | 220 lbs | 2020 | 76 |
| Aleksej Pokusevski | 17 | PF | 7’1″ | 225 lbs | 2019 | 75 |
| Tre Mann | 14 | SG | 6’5″ | 190 lbs | 2021 | 74 |
| Aaron Wiggins | 23 | SG | 6’6″ | 195 lbs | 2020 | 70 |
| Jaylin Williams | 32 | C | 6’10” | 240 lbs | 2022 | 69 |
The Thunder have a young and talented roster, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey leading the way. Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic scorer and playmaker, while Giddey is a pass-first point guard with a high basketball IQ. Luguentz Dort is a lockdown defender, Darius Bazley is a versatile forward, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a solid all-around player. Aleksej Pokusevski is a high-upside big man, Tre Mann is a scoring guard, Aaron Wiggins is a versatile wing player, and Jaylin Williams is a young center with potential.
The Thunder are hoping that their young core of players can develop and lead the team to the playoffs in the near future.
Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Team’s last 10 years of records
| Season | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 24 | 58 |
| 2021-2022 | 47 | 35 |
| 2020-2021 | 22 | 60 |
| 2019-2020 | 45 | 31 |
| 2018-2019 | 25 | 57 |
| 2017-2018 | 48 | 34 |
| 2016-2017 | 41 | 41 |
| 2015-2016 | 47 | 35 |
| 2014-2015 | 55 | 27 |
As you can see, the Thunder have had a mixed bag of results over the past 10 years. They have made the playoffs twice, in 2016 and 2017, but they have also had several losing seasons. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase, but they have a young and talented roster that they hope will lead them back to contention in the near future.
Season Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Team
Major Changes to the Roster:
The Thunder made a few major roster changes in the offseason. They traded for Jalen Williams, a young center with potential. They also signed Aaron Wiggins to a multi-year contract.
Strengths:
The Thunder have a young and talented roster, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey leading the way. Gilgeous-Alexander is a dynamic scorer and playmaker, while Giddey is a pass-first point guard with a high basketball IQ. Luguentz Dort is a lockdown defender, Darius Bazley is a versatile forward, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is a solid all-around player. Aleksej Pokusevski is a high-upside big man, Tre Mann is a scoring guard, and Jaylin Williams is a young center with potential.
Weaknesses:
The Thunder’s biggest weakness is their lack of experience. They have a lot of young players who are still learning the game. They will also need to find a way to improve their defense.
Potential Challenges:
The Thunder will face a lot of competition in the Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors are all expected to be contenders again this season. The Thunder will need to stay healthy and play consistent basketball if they want to make the playoffs.
Upcoming games:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| October 20 | @ Denver Nuggets | 8:00 PM |
| October 22 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | 8:00 PM |
| October 24 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | 7:00 PM |
| October 27 | @ Houston Rockets | 8:00 PM |
| October 29 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | 7:30 PM |
| October 31 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | 8:00 PM |
| November 2 | vs. Phoenix Suns | 7:00 PM |
| November 4 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | 10:30 PM |
| November 6 | vs. Utah Jazz | 7:00 PM |
Overall, the Thunder have a lot of potential for the upcoming season. They have a young and talented roster, and they are hoping to make the playoffs. However, they will face a lot of competition in the Western Conference, and they will need to stay healthy and play consistent basketball if they want to achieve their goals.
FAQs about the Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball team
What is the Thunder’s home arena?
The Thunder’s home arena is the Paycom Center. It is located in downtown Oklahoma City.
When was the Thunder founded?
The Thunder were founded in 1967 as the Seattle Super Sonics. They moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
What are the Thunder’s biggest rivals?
The Thunder’s biggest rivals are the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets. These teams are all in the same division as the Thunder and they have all been competitive in recent years.
Who is the Thunder’s head coach?
The Thunder’s head coach is Mark Daigneault. He was hired in 2020.
What are the Thunder’s colors?
The Thunder’s colors are blue, orange, and white.
