OKC Thunder will be featured the third most on Nationally Televised games in the 2017-18 season.
With the schedules released this week the dissection into the OKC Thunder schedule has begun. Thunderous Intentions scribes dove in to offer highlights immediately. Austin Sternlicht offered his suggestions for the top games on tap. And, Tony Heim served up the initial top line facts and figures.
With two All-Stars on the OKC Thunder and the reigning regular season Most Valuable Player it was a given they would get plenty of exposure. Still, their Nationally Televised offerings are impressive. Tied with LeBron James Cavaliers for third on the list their tally of 37 ranks behind only the Rockets (28 ) and reigning NBA Champion Warriors (31).
The specific games featured are:
October Televised Games:
- Opening night, Thursday, October 19 versus the Knicks on TNT at 8 p.m.
- At Minnesota Friday, October 27 versus the new look Timberwolves on NBA TV at 8 p.m.
- A first look at Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, Tuesday, October 31 on NBA TV at 8 p.m.
November Televised Games:
- Friday, November 3 OKC get their first ESPN game versus the Celtics at 9:30 p.m.
- NBA TV will feature OKC vs the Kings on Tuesday, November 7, at 10 p.m.
- TNT catches the first meeting versus Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, Thursday, November 9 at 10:30 p.m.
- Friday, November 17 ESPN covers the Spurs matchup at 8 p.m.
- The first look at the Warriors is Wednesday, November 22 on ESPN at 8 p.m.
December Televised Games:
- Friday, December 1 NBA TV features the Wolves matchup at 8 p.m.
- In the second Spurs televised offering, Sunday, December 3, NBA TV broadcasts at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, December 9, NBA TV broadcasts the first meeting of the season vs the Grizzlies at 9 p.m.
- ESPN gets the Paul George return to Indiana on Wednesday, December 13, at 7 p.m.
- The first look at the new look 76ers airs on ESPN, Friday, December 15, at 7 p.m.
- Monday, December 18, NBA TV covers another Nuggets matchup at 8 p.m.
- Christmas Day ABC airs the game at 8 p.m. versus the Rockets which is also their first meeting
- Wednesday, December 27, NBA TV covers the Thunder’s first meeting vs the Raptors at 8 p.m.
January Televised Games:
- Wednesday, January 3, ESPN airs the Lakers matchup at 10:30 p.m.
- The next night (Thursday, Jan. 4) TNT gets the other LA squad the Clippers at 10:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 9 versus Portland at 8 p.m,on NBA TV
- Wednesday, January 10 vs Minnesota at 8 p.m., on ESPN
- Wednesday, January 17 vs the Lakers at 8 p.m., on ESPN
- Saturday, January 20 vs the Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
- Thursday, January 25 vs the Wizards at 8 p.m., on TNT
- Sunday, January 28 vs the 76ers on ESPN at 6 p.m. on ESPN
February Televised Games:
- Thursday, February 1 on TNT at 10:30 p.m. versus at Denver
- Sunday, February 4 on ABC at 2:00 p.m. versus the Lakers
- Tuesday, February 6 on TNT at 10:30 p.m. versus at Golden State
- Thursday, February 8 on TNT at 10:30 p.m. versus at the Lakers
- Tuesday, February 16 on TNT at 8:00 p.m. versus the Cavaliers
- Saturday, February 24 on ABC at 8:30 p.m. versus at Golden State
March Televised Games:
- Tuesday, March 6 versus Rockets at 8 p.m. on TNT
- Saturday, March 10 versus Spurs at 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- Friday, March 16 versus Clippers at 8 p.m. on NBA TV
- Tuesday, March 20 at Boston at 8 p.m. on TNT
- Thursday, March 29 at San Antonio at 8 p.m. on TNT
April Televised Games:
- Tuesday, April 3 vs Golden State at 8 p.m. on TNT
- Saturday, April 7 vs Rockets at 8:30 p.m. on ABC
Again, it’s not surprising the OKC Thunder are among the top five teams gaining Nationally exposure. What might be somewhat surprising is the some of the teams who do gain extra National attention. Here’s how the other 25 teams fare in terms of National coverage:
Low to High Nationally Televised Games by Team:
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Hawks, Nets: 2
Pacers:3
Magic: 4
Bulls: 6
Hornets, Pistons, Grizzlies: 8
Heat: 10
Mavericks, Jazz: 11
Raptors, Kings: 12
Knicks, Suns: 13
Pelicans: 14
Nuggets: 15
Bucks:18
Blazers: 21
76ers: 23
Timberwolves: 25
Wizards: 28
Clippers: 31
Spurs: 32
Lakers: 35
An interesting note to make is while the NBA states the upper tier teams (based on prior record) and ones featuring All-Stars get the most televised games. Thirteen teams finished with fewer wins but get more Nationally televised games than Toronto or Utah.
So, OKC Thunder fans should celebrate the fact they remain a huge draw for the Association.