OKC Thunder embroiled in the calm before the storm

Digging a hole for themselves

It could be argued enduring the league’s toughest schedule since the All-Star break would have the OKC Thunder playoff hardened. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. If anything, Oklahoma City seems to be in limbo, torn between being a contender or a pretender. It’s not for a lack of effort, but poor execution has led to abysmal results that sent the Thunder plummeting down the standings with a minimal cushion at the bottom.

For starters, OKC got swept by the Denver Nuggets. Yes, the Nuggets have been a conference leader all season, but so was the Thunder at one point. Failing to garner even one victory against the division foe is simply embarrassing.

Most recently, Oklahoma City lost to the undermanned Dallas Mavericks. With Kristaps Porzingis, J.J. Barea, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Luka Doncic all out for the contest, OKC should’ve secured a comfortable win. Instead, the Thunder left the game with heads hung low from a 3-point loss. Just embarrassing.

As the final nails in the coffin, two teams the Thunder swept – the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz – sit well ahead in the standings at third and fifth, respectively. Again, embarrassing.

Embarrassment aside, there is no time to dwell on the past. The Thunder have no choice but to pick themselves up off the hardwood, learn from their mistakes, and focus on beating their next opponents one game at a time.