The Oklahoma City Thunder keep New Year’s Eve Tradition

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 23, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder have hosted a game on New Year’s Eve for the past 14 years, now, they make it a 15th straight season of NBA basketball closing out the year in Bricktown. As the NBA announced their 2022-23 regular season schedule, the OKC Thunder are hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at the Paycom Center to ring in the New Year.

Since moving to Oklahoma City, from Seattle, in the 2008-09 season, the Thunder have not missed a New Year’s Eve date at home. The contest against one of the Associations MVP favorites Joel Embiid and former league MVP James Harden will tip off at 7 p.m. Local time plays a part in the most extensive stretch of home games of the season which perfectly coincides with the Holiday break for Families.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will once again play a New Year’s Eve home game, keeping the tradition alive as the 76ers come to Bricktown

On New Year’s Eve, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 11-3 with their most recent matchup being a win over the New York Knicks 95-80. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points while hauling in four rebounds, dishing out four assists, swiping two steals, and swatting a shot.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a season-long seven-game homestand from December 14th through the 27th only to return home on New Year’s Eve to play host to the 76ers. Throughout that stretch, the team will welcome the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trailblazers twice in a baseball-style series, the New Orleans Pelicans, and closing out with San Antonio Spurs.

There are plenty of opportunities for families to capitalize on the Holiday break and catch a game at the Paycom Center. With the Miami Heat, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Pelicans, and 76eres being marquee matchups and playoff teams a year ago.

OKC then will fly to Charlotte to take on the Hornets before hosting the 76ers on New Year’s Eve. For the full Oklahoma City Thunder schedule click here.