Dec 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Kevin Durant (35) look on against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The month of January was not a good one for the Oklahoma City Thunder. They finished .500, and even lost some ground to the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference playoff chase.
OKC did have their moments, like defeating the Golden State Warriors at home, beating the Orlando Magic by what seemed like 50 points in the very next game, and pulling out an incredibly tough overtime win at the Washington Wizards.
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But things went south quickly for the Thunder. Kevin Durant sprained his toe and was listed as day-to-day by the team. Like his ankle injury, day-to-day actually turned into almost two weeks of missed games for the reigning MVP.
The team hit bottom on the last day of the month at Memphis. Durant returned, perhaps prematurely, and the Thunder lost 85-74 in what the Grizzlies refer to as the “Grindhouse.”
Kevin Durant admitted he may have tried to push it too soon vs Memphis. Feels like this time he's back for good from toe sprain.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 6, 2015
The Thunder have started off strong in February by getting two much needed wins over the Magic and the Pelicans to regain ground in the playoff chase. But after their heartbreaking loss to the Pelicans at home last night, the Thunder are now 3.5 games out of eighth place.
With the season over halfway over, it looks like the Thunder will be in a fight for their playoff lives the rest of the way. Every game is crucial for the at this point, and February could go a long way in deciding the Thunder’s playoff fate. Even though it’s stressful, it will make for great entertainment to have Oklahoma City’s games post All-Star break actually matter for something besides seeding.
With that in mind, lets take a look at the Thunder’s schedule through the month of February.
Next: Week One