OKC Thunder 2019-2020 schedule facts – everything you need to know

The OKC Thunder full 2019-20 regular season schedule is finally available and with it, there is much to dissect. Here’s everything you need to know.

First the preliminary information. The OKC Thunder will open in Utah against division rivals the Jazz on October 23 and their own home opener at Chesapeake will occur two days later (October 25) versus the Washington Wizards. Both games occur at 7:00 p.m. Central Time.

Strength of Schedule:

Every season the release of the itinerary’s is met with excitement and angst. This season it may be more of the latter given the Thunder are saddled with the most difficult schedule of all 30 teams. Don’t just take my word for it that’s the common consensus.

Yaya Dubin offered tweets which provided all the intel in one location. Dubin notes the OKC Thunder have the hardest schedule (tied with Suns).  The Milwaukee Bucks get the easiest schedule which is somewhat understandable given they had the best record last season.

Another insightful point Dubin makes is the Western Conference is far more difficult than the Eastern Conference so subsequently, teams from the West tend to be pegged with the harder strength of schedule.

In addition, the Thunder have the toughest month of all 30 teams which happens to be at season start. Therefore, if OKC gets out to a slow start don’t be surprised. Depending on whether you fall on the side of hoping the Thunder fight for a lower seed and be competitive this may not be the best news.

For a team undergoing massive shifts, generally, it’s the first few months of the season where the players and coaches iron out the kinks. Having to tackle tougher games in October and November will make the process more difficult.

On the other hand, if your expectations are for the Thunder to tank, their performance during this phase of the season could determine how they play the entirety of the year. Moreover, it may also lead to GM Sam Presti moving Danilo Gallinari, Chris Paul and potentially other roster members earlier than the trade deadline. Clicking this link offers another Yaya Dubin tweet breaking down pre and post All-Star break scheduling and associated strength of schedules.