Top 10 OKC Thunder playoff games – Reminiscing the good times

Number 1: Game 5 vs. LA Clippers

Among all 102 playoff games, the OKC Thunder have partaken in, Game 5 against the Clippers had the most dramatic finish. Having blown a 22-point lead in the previous contest, Game 5 demonstrated yet again how hard it can be to close out a playoff game on the road.

After overcoming a 22-point deficit in Game 4, the Clippers came into the Peake riding a confidence wave. The Clippers built a lead as large as 15-points, leading by six heading into the fourth.

Game Specifics

• When: May 13, 2014
• Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Opponent: LA Clippers
• Final score: 105 – 104, Thunder win

The stage was set for a playoff classic, with a little help from Chris Paul and his Clippers the Thunder created one. With 49-seconds to go the Thunder were in danger of falling down 3-2 in the series. The Clippers took a seven-point lead off a 17 foot Paul jumper after Oklahoma City called timeout.

Then Durant hit a three, Jamal Crawford missed a layup, Westbrook secured the rebound leading to a KD layup which cut the lead to two. Next, Paul committed a turnover due to a Westbrook deflection, Reggie Jackson grabbed the loose ball and drove to the basket, despite the fact Russ and KD were open.

Jackson’s decision raised questions in 2014 and remains questionable today. Steven Adams highlighted such in his recent book. Jackson’s saving grace is he got bailed out by an infamous call. The officials deemed the ball went out-of-bounds courtesy of Matt Barnes, not Jackson.

The call gave Oklahoma City one final chance to win the game. Westbrook caught the inbounds pass, dribbled out to the 3-point line and attempted a senseless three. By chance, Paul fouled Russ sending the Brodie to the line for three foul shots.

The arena went silent, so silent one could hear Westbrook take each breath before shooting his free throw. Russ calmly sank each free throw, causing the raucous arena to erupt after each made foul shot.

Paul had one last chance to win it for the Clips, but he lost the ball at the hands of Serge Ibaka. Marv Albert declared it was all over on the TNT broadcast, and the game was indeed over.

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Jubilation rang out throughout the entire arena after the final buzzer sounded. As Russ jumped into Durant’s arms, making for one of the most iconic OKC Thunder photos.

For the Thunder to win, OKC required a perfect storm, which included everything that could possibly go wrong for the Clippers going wrong. The loss was so crushing it left members of the Clippers crying in the back hallway, namely Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. Who later went on an epic rant during his post-game interview.

All in all Game 5 altered the direction of both franchises, the Thunder continued trending forward, while it signaled the beginning of the end for the Clippers.

In conclusion, the OKC Thunder have had numerous playoff battles in their first ten seasons. So long as Oklahoma City continues constructing competitive rosters expect several more playoff battles over the next ten years.

This wraps up my top 10 OKC Thunder playoff games. Share your memories with me in the comments section and let me know if there’s a game you recall with fond memories.