There was a lot to like about the Oklahoma City Thunder's 119-84 Game 1 win over the Sun (unless you're a Phoenix fan), but one of the things that stood out the most was their depth. Now, that's nothing new, as they've been a deep team, but watching all nine bench players get run in their first playoff game served as a reminder of how scary they really are.
Except for Nikola Topic, who played four minutes and didn't attempt a shot, every Thunder player had at least two points. They have the starpower that other teams can't match, headlined by the should-be back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but what makes playing OKC really demoralizing is watching weapon after weapon come off the bench.
Ajay Mitchell, whom the Thunder acquired on draft night in 2024, had nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 22 minutes. Isaiah Joe, whom they signed in 2022 after the Sixers waived him, had nine points in 21 minutes. Jaylin Williams, their second-round pick from 2022, had five points, four rebounds, four steals, and two assists in just 10 minutes. Alex Caruso had five rebounds in eight minutes.
The list keeps going, too. They have so much talent that you'd think they wouldn't know what to do with it all, as several of OKC's bench guys would be starters elsewhere, and if not right now, then in the near future.
The Thunder can beat you with anyone (literally)
Somehow, they've added to their depth chest, like with the Jared McCain trade before the deadline. He was a favorite for Rookie of the Year last season before he got hurt in Philadelphia, and he didn't even sub in for the first time until the end of the first half on Sunday. Oh, and they'll add another lottery pick this June!
That's a strength that absolutely no other team can match. Denver did go out last summer and boost its depth by trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn, creating financial flexibility to sign players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown. The Nuggets still can't go head-to-head with the Thunder in that department, though.
Phoenix certainly can't.
The Suns have no answer for the Thunder in any category, so odds are this will continue to be a series where we see a lot from the bench, with the starters enjoying more rest. Those who tune in only for the postseason and don't know much about OKC might be scratching their heads, wondering where the front office got all of these guys from.
Sam Presti is a genius, and that's all there is to say about that.
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