Former OKC Thunder Players in the NBA Playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been eliminated from the NBA postseason after falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Play-In Tournament, a game away from a first-round series with the Denver Nuggets. But, while the OKC Thunder will not be in the playoffs, plenty of former Thunder stars will.

The NBA Playoffs start Saturday at noon central, with four games on tap for the day and four more games on Sunday to tip off the best hoops of the year. While the Oklahoma City Thunder will not be participating this season, there are plenty of former players for fans to root for.

The OKC Thunder have been eliminated from the NBA Postseason, but there are plenty of former players to root for throughout the Summer.

Looking at the Western Conference, Let’s start with the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. On this roster, the Nuggets foster four players with Thunder ties. Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith highlight the guards who have played for the Thunder, while Jeff Green is the most notable OKC Legend. So who is the fourth player? Rookie Peyton Watson, who the Nuggets selected at pick 30, which Sam Presti traded to Denver last offseason.

Moving along to the Memphis Grizzlies holding the two seeds in the West, only two players have ties to Oklahoma City. Headlined by Steven Adams, who is sidelined this postseason, and bookended by Brandon Clarke, who was part of the Draft Night swap for Darius Bazley.

The Sacramento Kings have two former Thunder players, including their star Domantas Sabonis. P.J. Dozier is the second former OKC player, famous for being the second player in franchise history to dawn the number 35 after Kevin Durant.

Speaking of Kevin Durant, he is one of four former-Thunder players on the Suns. Joining him is Chris Paul (who also spent time with the OKC Hornets) and former Thunder first-round picks Cameron Payne and Darius Bazley.

The L.A. Clippers, who will face off with the KD-led Suns, features the most famous Thunder Legend, Russell Westbrook. Paul George is the only other former OKC Thunder player on the roster.

The Golden State Warriors have two players with OKC Thunder ties, Ty Jerome and JaMychal Green (Green was only part of the Thunder for a few weeks last offseason). However, Jerome will not be eligible for the postseason as he is on a two-way contract.

The Only L.A. Lakers player with a tie to the OKC Thunder is Dennis Schroder, who was stellar during his Thunder tenure.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, who just knocked the Thunder out of the playoffs, have Austin Rivers on their roster, who spent an hour on the roster before being traded again a few seasons ago.

The Milwaukee Bucks do not have any Thunder legends, while the Boston Celtics roster a fan favorite, Al Horford. He is accompanied by Danilo Gallinari (OUT) and Mike Muscala.

For the 76ers, James Harden is the lone former Thunder player. The Cavs only have strange ties to OKC, with Ricky Rubio and Danny Green, who were traded to the Thunder but never stepped foot in Bricktown before being moved again. However, Mamadi Diakite is on the team for the Cavs, and he was a massive player-favorite in the OKC locker room.

The New York Knicks recently signed Isaiah Roby, and he is their lone OKC tie. The Nets do not have a single Thunder legend, while they foster Vit Krejci. Finally, the Heat wraps things up with Victor Oladipo and Omer Yurtseven.

True Thunder Legends: 

• Denver Nuggets (3): Reggie Jackson, Ish Smith, Jeff Green
• Memphis Grizzlies (1): Steven Adams
• Sacramento Kings (2): Domantas Sabonis, P.J. Dozier
• Phoenix Suns (4): Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Darius Bazley
• L.A. Clippers (2): Russell Westbrook and Paul George
• Golden State Warriors (2): Ty Jerome and JaMychal Green
• L.A. Lakers (1): Dennis Schroder
• Minnesota Timberwolves: None
• Milwaukee Bucks: None
• Boston Celtics (3): Al Horford, Mike Muscala, Danilo Gallinari
• Philadelphia 76ers (1): James Harden
• Cleveland Cavaliers (1): Mamadi Diakite
• New York Knicks (1): Isaiah Roby
• Brooklyn Nets: None
• Atlanta Hawks (1): Vit Krejci
• Miami Heat (2): Victor Oladipo and Omer Yurtseven (OKC Blue)