As usual, the OKC Thunder will play 41 games at home next season with plenty of intriguing matchups. With the 2023-24 schedule now released, Thunder fans can prepare to welcome some of their favorite former players back to Paycom Center.
Former OKC Thunder favorites will be back in OKC next season.
In previous seasons, returns for ex-Thunder players have brought out a full range of emotions. For example, the first time Kevin Durant returned to OKC as a member of the Warriors, boos rained down on the former MVP on every touch. After seven months of pent-up anger, Thunder fans made his return one of the most memorable regular season games in team history after Durant decided to leave.
Meanwhile, when beloved superstar Russell Westbrook returned as a Houston Rocket in 2020, fans welcomed him back with open arms to celebrate his time in OKC. The Thunder even showed a tribute video to showcase Westbrook’s impact on and off the floor. The Thunder had never done anything like that before Westbrook and have not done so since.
Thunder role players have often fallen in the middle of that scale. They typically get announced with a “Welcome back to Oklahoma City” and an ovation as fans show appreciation for their contributions.