Top 3 OKC Thunder Home Games You Must Attend

The NBA released the 2023-24 schedule, and the OKC Thunderseason opener is October 25th at the Chicago Bulls. The upcoming debuts of Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace, Vasilije Micic, and Keyontae Johnson only enhance the buzz surrounding this up-and-coming team.

Which home games are a must-attend based on the atmosphere, storylines, and individual matchups?

Top 3 OKC Thunder Home Games You Must Attend

November 3rd versus Golden State Warriors

It’s never dull when the Warriors are in town. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green ignite a different atmosphere in Paycom Center due to the bitter history between these teams.

Whether it’s Curry’s 2016 regular season game-winner, the heartbreaking 2016 Western Conference Finals, or memories of the 2017 Westbrook-Durant feud, emotions run hot when Golden State is involved—their core rapidly ages, so this atmosphere will not be around for much longer.

Golden State will also likely jockey with the OKC Thunder for playoff seeding, so the ramifications run deeper than avenging the past. It’s possible this game could be the tiebreaker that hands the OKC Thunder the 6th seed and sends Golden State to the play-in tournament. If it doesn’t hold this magnitude,the game is still a part of the in-season tournament. As a result, there’s slightly more on the line than a typical regular season contest.

November 14th versus San Antonio Spurs 

The Spurs are coming! The Spurs are coming! And with them comes one of the greatest draft prospects in NBA history: Victor Wembanyama. No player has ever displayed his combination of fluidity, timing, ball handling, and shooting at 7’4” before, so it’s a remarkable spectacle to witness his skills with your own eyes.

Wembanyama’s matchup with Chet Holmgren projects to be a clash of titans that represents the new direction of NBA big men. The NBA is leaning heavily into this budding new rivalry with this being the first of two nationally televised matchups between the youngsters.

Can OKC’s drive-heavy offense navigate Wembayama’s rim protection? Will Devin Vassell or Keldon Johnson get caught in the Dorture Chamber? Does Jaylin Williams draw a charge against a ferocious Wembanyama dunk?

In addition, it’s the only nationally televised game of pool play during the in-season tournament for the OKC Thunder. Not only will the actual game itself be mesmerizing, but an appearance on National television is possible should the camera find the right section of the crowd.

Overall, expect this matchup against the rejuvenated Spurs for OKC Thunder fans to be highly entertained, no matter the score.

October 29th versus Denver Nuggets 

After a year on the shelf, the OKC Thunder will finally see their prized pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren, make his debut in Bricktown on October 29th. Holmgren represents the highest pick of the Thunder’s rebuild and fills in the glaring gaps from last year’s team.

The reigning champs are fueled by the deadliest duo in the league: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Their ability to generate advantages through the pick-and-roll or dribble handoffs is astounding, so this game constitutes an important defensive litmus test for OKC (especially for Holmgren and Lu Dort). If the OKC Thunder can slow down the Nuggets, they can hold their own against anybody.

Jokic’s supernatural playmaking and court vision is a sight to see in person, too, as he always throws a few jaw-dropping passes every game. Factor in Aaron Gordon’s acrobatic dunks, Michael Porter Jr’s blistering three-point shooting, an unselfish passing network, and this matchup should ooze aura. Plus, it is the Home Opener for the OKC Thunder which automatically makes the contest feel more important.