OKC Thunder keep New Year’s Eve tradition alive

The OKC Thunder saw their 2023-24 schedule release last week, and with all the new changes to the NBA season, including the debut of the in-season tournament, one thing remained constant.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have played a New Year’s Eve home game every year since relocating to Bricktown from Seattle. It has become a welcomed Holiday in the State of Oklahoma for the past 15 years. Many fans, and even just citizens, have made this part of their holiday experience in Oklahoma. Regardless of the different changes to the NBA calendar, the New Year’s Eve Tradition rolls on.

The OKC Thunder continue their New Year’s Eve tradition with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.

This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will put a bow on the Holiday season and send us into the new year with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. The OKC Thunder are 11-4 on New Year’s Eve throughout franchise history.

That record includes a five year winning streak before suffering their first New Year’s Eve loss in 2013. They quickly recover to the tune of a three game winning streak from 2014-16. After losing in 2017, 2020, and 2022 the OKC Thunder have never lost consecutive years on the holiday.

A lot is at stake when the Brooklyn Nets come to town, their lone trip to Bricktown will be an attempt to make history. If the Nets can knock off the Oklahoma City Thunder, it will be the first time since relocating to Bricktown that the OKC Thunder have posted back to back losses on New Year’s Eve. While on paper the OKC Thunder look to be better than the Brooklyn Nets, you can never discount a random revenge game from the likes of Darius Bazley.

Games are typically close on New Year’s Eve for the OKC Thunder, in their 15 year run, only five games were decided by more than ten points. This is always a great game for fans to attend to get their New Year’s Eve rocking, with tip-off slated for 6 p.m., the game will wrap up in time to still watch the Ball Drop!