A Final Look at Thunder 2022-23 Statistics

Alongside a massive jump from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, multiple other OKC players made huge strides to help the Thunder reach the postseason for the first time since 2019-20.

Oklahoma City pulled off the second-largest turnaround in the NBA this season, winning 16 more games in 2022-23 than the year prior. While an All-NBA caliber season from fifth-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was obviously the main catalyst for the Thunder's improvement, OKC's team statistics increased across the board from 2021-22 to the following season. 

Last year, Oklahoma City finished with a 24-58 record, the 29th-ranked offensive rating, the 28th-ranked net rating and the fewest points per game total in the NBA. This season, the Thunder went 40-42, were in the top five in points per game, and finished top 15 in the NBA in net rating and defensive rating. 

Additionally, Oklahoma City's team field goal percentage rose by 3.5%, and the squad also dished out almost 200 more assists in 2022-23. These massive improvements from OKC helped propel the team to the Play-In for the first time in franchise history.

Individually, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged nearly seven more points per game while shooting 51% from the field, up from 45.3% in his 56 appearances in 2021-22. 

The first-time all-star wasn't the only player to increase his production and efficiency. 20-year-old Josh Giddey also vastly improved during his sophomore season, averaging 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. 

After putting up 12.5 points per game and shooting 26.3% from beyond the arc as a rookie, Giddey's improved shooting ability helped open up the second-year guard's game. This year, Giddey raised his 3-point percentage to 32.5%, even knocking down three triples in the Thunder's Play-In victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. 

The 6-foot-8 Aussie point guard was also OKC's leader in games played this season with 76. Despite being elbowed in the face during his first NBA game, rookie wing Jalen Williams came in just behind Giddey with 75 games played.

In 2021-22, Darius Bazley lead the team with 69 games played. The former first round pick was traded to Phoenix around the 2023 NBA trade deadline in return for Dario Saric. 

As expected, Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Jalen Williams and Lu Dort played the most minutes on the team, with former 76er Isaiah Joe rounding out the top five. After being signed off waivers prior to the 2022-23 season, the sharpshooter from Arkansas appeared in 73 games for Oklahoma City, finishing the season as the team's fifth-leading scorer.

The drastic shift in statistics is parallel to the success that the Thunder had this year. If OKC's players can continue to improve over the offseason, the team is primed for another impressive run with the addition of coveted big man Chet Holmgren. 

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