3 biggest takeaways from the first month of OKC Thunder basketball

The month of November has given the OKC Thunder numerous ups and downs. The external distraction surrounding the team, the newfound winning ways the team has discovered, and the red-hot touch that seemed to have been burning nets in every Thunder game. Needless to say, the OKC Thunder have started the season well for the first time since their rebuild. 

The Thunder now stands at 12-6 and at third in the widely-regarded, more superior Western Conference. They went 9-4 in the month of November, with wild wins, and equally flabbergasting losses under their belt. 

Three Takeaways from the first month of OKC Thunder basketball

November started for the OKC Thunder with a rough loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, where they squandered a 22-point lead in the first half and were completely outplayed by the Pelicans in the second half a late Shai Gilgeous-Alexander heroics did not lift the team past the Zion Williamson-led Pels. 

Smacked at the middle of the month were two statement wins of the Thunder against the Golden State Warriors in which Gilgeous-Alexander was in his usual superstar form, Chet Holmgren at his most potent groove, and Isaiah Joe at his hottest stretch since last season. 

November will be remembered this season as one when the OKC Thunder set the tone for the rest of the season, ending the month as the top defensive team, with the sixth-best offense and the number-one net rating. Here are some takeaways from the month: