When former Thunder fan favorites will be back in OKC
By Ivan White
Chris Paul
Chris Paul’s Golden State Warriors will visit OKC on Nov. 3 as part of the group stage of the In-Season Tournament. The former Thunder All-Star will play in his first season with the Warriors after a three-year stop in Phoenix.
It was only a brief stint with the Thunder, but Paul’s impact on the Thunder is still showing today. He mentored Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort in the 2019-20 season.
That season also inspired OKC fans as the team made a surprising playoff run. Paul’s clutch performances and all-NBA campaign helped OKC finish as the fifth seed in the west.
Paul was an Thunder fan favorite and has received loud cheers every time he returns. Unfortunately, the Thunder fans did not get the full experience with that group as the pandemic forced the end of the season and playoffs into the Bubble in Orlando.
Paul’s return is always unique, as he started his NBA career in OKC despite not playing for the Thunder until 2019. The New Orleans Hornets relocated to Oklahoma City for Paul’s first two seasons due to Hurricane Katrina.
Given his image when the Thunder traded for him, Paul both began and reinvented his career in OKC.
In Golden State, Paul is also reuniting with former Suns teammate Dario Saric, who spent the final months of the 2023 season with the Thunder after acquiring him at the trade deadline.