The Oklahoma City Thunder season is right around the corner, with media day and training camp set for the final week of September, preseason set for October 3rd, and the regular season opener on October 19th, the OKC Thunder will have a lot of key dates moving forward.
There is a lot to be excited about this season when it comes to Oklahoma City Thunder basketball,
As the new NBA season draws closer, let’s take a look at the top five OKC Thunder games you should attend during the 2022-23 season at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Thunder will tip-off their regular season on the road on October 19th in Minnesota. The OKC Thunder will play their standard 41 home games and 41 road games this season, but let’s take a look at the five best home games to attend this season at the Paycom Center in downtown Oklahoma City.
The Home Opener: October 23rd vs Minnesota
While this is on the second night of a back-to-back this should only impact maybe Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala early in the season. All the youngsters should have fresh enough legs to play in the home opener after taking on the Nuggets in Denver the night before. Home openers are always fun and you will get to see Jalen Williams and possibly Ousmane Dieng and Jaylin Williams’s home debuts as well.
The National TV Extravaganza: November 1st vs Orlando Magic
While the Oklahoma City Thunder lost Chet Holmgren for the rest of the season which takes the luster out of their lone National Television broadcast as we were set to see the first and second overall pick face off on TNT, there are still plenty of reasons to attend this contest.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Paolo Banchero, and even Franz Wagner after his euro-basket run seem like players that thrive under the bright lights and on the biggest stage the NBA has to offer. I asked NBA Champion Antonio Daniels if players care about these National TV dates and his answer was a resounding yes.
The atmosphere is just different when you walk into the Paycom Center and the game is on National Television.
December 17th vs the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most fun teams in the league to watch. From Ja Morant matching up with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, to Desmond Bane with his elite shooting ability, and Steven Adams back in town.
This comes at the perfect time, smack in the middle of the Holiday break around Oklahoma schools, take the whole family down to the Paycom Center, and enjoy some Thunder hoops!
December 31st vs the 76ers, a New Year’s Eve tradition
Look, on top of getting to see former League MVP James Harden, one of the league’s MVP favorites this year in Joel Embiid, an up-and-coming star in Tyrese Maxey, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and by that time a rookie in Jalen Williams who I expect to thrive, this is a wonderful way to spend your New Year’s Eve.
Each year since the team moved to Oklahoma City they have played at home on New Year’s Eve, and it sets up perfectly for the fans. With the game tipping off at 7 p.m., fans can still celebrate after the game and have plenty of time before midnight!
February 15th vs the Houston Rockets, a rivalry renewed
The Houston and Oklahoma City fanbase has a strange but intense rivalry on Twitter, and this tilt will be the last game before the All-Star date. Both teams will hopefully be at full strength, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be on his way to his first All-Star appearance, and this is before any second half of the season shenanigans.
Which games are you looking forward to this year for the Oklahoma City Thunder?