The NBA marquee event features five Christmas Day games as TI reflects back at the OKC Thunder’s nine appearances in franchise history.
Merry Christmas Thunder Nation! As we settle in to watch the slate of NBA Christmas Day games it summons memories of the nine-holiday games our OKC Thunder played in over the dozen seasons of the franchise.
Recalling those games it’s worth revisiting the jerseys the Thunder wore in those matches as former T.I. writer Jordan Buckamneer served up the top five jerseys worn on the holiday by OKC.
In a trip down memory lane, the nine-holiday appearances brought us a mixed bag of wins and losses mixed in with some classic matches.
Reflecting on OKC Thunder Christmas Day games:
First Christmas appearance:
In their first appearance back in 2010 the Thunder played the Denver Nuggets when Mr. Big Shot (Chauncey Billups) was still in the association. Billups scored 30 points but Kevin Durant put on a dazzling display scoring 44 points while James Harden dropped 21 as the Sixth Man and the Thunder won the match 114-106 garnering their first Christmas victory.
Lockout leads to Christmas Day season opener:
A lockout the following season led to games opening the season and the Thunder began that 2011-12 facing the Orlando Magic. It was more of a defensive brawl but OKC once again came out on top 97-89 with Durant once again leading the way scoring 30 points.
First loss on holiday:
LeBron James and his Miami Heat served the Thunder their first Christmas loss in a classic 2012-13 match. KD and Russell Westbrook brought the stocking stuffers with 33 points and a double-double effort respectively but fell to the champs 103-97.