Key Takeaways:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 24-1 start to the season has been followed by a 6-5 run, including a stunning home loss to the Charlotte Hornets
- The Hornets outplayed the Thunder in virtually every facet of the game, including shooting, rebounding, and ball movement
- The Thunder’s loss is their second straight, and they have now lost six of their last 12 games
- Despite the loss, the Thunder remain a favorite to win the NBA title, but look more vulnerable than they did during their scorching start to the season
- The Hornets will return home to host the Raptors, while the Thunder will look to regroup for a home game against the Jazz
Introduction to the Thunder’s Struggles
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s incredible 24-1 start to the season sparked chatter of history, with many wondering if they could break the Golden State Warriors’ record of 73 wins. However, a 6-5 run since then, including a stunning home loss to the previously 12-23 Charlotte Hornets, has muted that talk. As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s MVP guard, said after the game, "From the get, it just seemed like they were ahead of us on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively." This loss has officially put to bed any talk of the Thunder breaking the Warriors’ record, and has raised questions about the team’s vulnerability.
The Hornets’ Dominant Performance
The Hornets’ 124-97 win over the Thunder was arguably the most stunning result of the NBA season. They outplayed the Thunder in virtually every facet of the game, outshooting them from the floor (53% to 37%), from 3 (51% to 28%), and from the line (92% to 67%). They also secured a 52-34 rebounding advantage and moved the ball better, assisting on 25 of 41 made field goals, compared to 18 assists on 34 made field goals for the Thunder. As the article notes, "The Hornets controlled both ends of the court," and their dominant performance was a major factor in the Thunder’s loss.
The Thunder’s Struggles
The Thunder’s loss is their second straight, and they have now lost six of their last 12 games. Three of those losses have come to the San Antonio Spurs. While a stretch of.500 basketball and a single bad loss isn’t cause for panic in Oklahoma City, the Thunder look much more vulnerable now than they did during their scorching start to the season. As the article notes, "A stretch of.500 basketball and a single bad loss isn’t cause for panic in Oklahoma City for a Thunder team that remains a favorite to win the NBA title." However, the Thunder’s struggles are a cause for concern, and they will need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Hornets’ Key Players
The Hornets had several key players who contributed to their dominant performance. Brandon Miller paced the Hornets with 28 points and 6 rebounds, while shooting 7 of 10 from 3. Breakout rookie sharpshooter Kon Knueppel hit 5 of 7 3s en route to 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. LaMelo Ball also got in on the long-distance party, going 4-of-7 from deep while tallying 16 points. The Hornets’ balanced attack and strong shooting were major factors in their win over the Thunder.
The Thunder’s Next Steps
The Thunder will look to regroup and refocus for their next game, a home matchup against the Jazz on Wednesday. They will need to bounce back from their two straight losses and find a way to regain their early-season form. As the article notes, "The Thunder, meanwhile, will look to regroup for a home game against the Jazz on Wednesday." The Thunder’s ability to bounce back from this loss will be a major test of their character and determination, and will be an important factor in their quest for an NBA title.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s stunning home loss to the Charlotte Hornets has raised questions about their vulnerability and their ability to make a deep run in the playoffs. While they remain a favorite to win the NBA title, they will need to regroup and refocus if they want to achieve their goals. The Hornets, on the other hand, will look to build on their dominant performance and continue to improve as the season progresses. As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said, "From the get, it just seemed like they were ahead of us on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively." The Thunder will need to find a way to overcome this kind of performance if they want to succeed in the playoffs.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/hornets-torch-thunder-in-okc-bring-talk-of-historic-season-to-screeching-halt-032413637.html
