OKC Thunder: 6 Must watch matchups for 2021-22 Thunder season

OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returns to Toronto

This past calendar year has been all about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City Thunder fans. In the last year, he went from being part of an interesting three-guard lineup that featured Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder seeing the Thunder reach unexpecting heights while becoming the true face of the OKC Thunder franchise.

The Thunder’s offseason was centered around just two things. Attempting to nail their top ten pick, which turned into Josh Giddey at pick-six, and inking the Canada native to a long-term deal.

Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City organization agreed to terms with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a five-year max contract extension with no opt-outs for either side. SGA now continues the Thunder’s streak of rostering a max contract player.

Getting a 23-year-old franchise-altering superstar for an All-Star in Paul George who demanded out behind the scenes is a huge win for Presti and company. While this season sadly will not see SGA return to the playoffs in all likelihood, the hope is it will see him earn his first all-star nod after being snubbed a year ago.

One of the games leading up to fans being able to vote on who to send to the NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland February 18th-20th is a December 8th matchup in Toronto against the Raptors in Scotiabank Arena.

This contest will be a homecoming for both Lu Dort and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With vaccinated fans being welcomed back to Raptor home games, after a year of that organization playing in Tampa Bay, Florida, SGA will get to play against his friends and family on his new max contract, while leading his own franchise and team for the first time.

The last time Gilgeous-Alexander played in front of the Toronto faithful? He had one of the best games of his career pouring in 32-points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals. One of those seven boards? A game-sealing rebound that saw him race down the floor and drain the clock allowing the Thunder to hold onto a one-point lead against the then-defending Champion Raptors.

There are plenty more contests to look forward to, such as tanking battles with the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Cleveland Cavilers which will go a long way in deciding the team’s draft position next season.

Where are your must-see games this season? Let us know below in the comments!