3 unsung heroes who helped the OKC Thunder claim historic No. 1 seed

The rise of this OKC Thunder team from the 10th spot last year to, now, the top seed in the Western Conference in 2023-24 has been astounding, to say the least. From playing for a postseason berth to winning 57 games and becoming the youngest team ever to clinch the top spot in a conference, it has been an excellent season for the youth-filled club.

In layman's terms, it was a giant leap for the Thunder.

Chet Holmgren played his first season in the NBA and provided much-needed impact at the center position; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made an MVP leap; Jalen Williams defied the sophomore slump and emerged as a real backup star; And Lu Dort quietly cemented himself as one of the top 3-and-D players in the league. 

It's no longer a conversation about how bright this team's future is -- the future starts now for this version of the Thunder.

But beyond all the glamorous stats and historical significance, there were a lot of unsung heroes on the court who contributed greatly to Oklahoma City's cause this season. Just like when it comes to Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Holmgren, and Dort, people must give them enough credit for this run. 

Here are some of the unsung heroes who helped bring the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference.