Why OKC Thunder Project To Be Successful in Postseason

The Oklahoma City Thunder projects to be successful in the NBA postseason due to their ability to handle late-game scenarios.

This season has been a massive success for the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-19) as they jockey for first place in the Western Conference. The Thunder have proven to be contenders at every step this season, from Phil Jackson's theory to their dominating output on each end of the floor. 

However, as some question the Thunder, Oklahoma City projects to be a force in the postseason due to their major production in the clutch. 

In a star-driven league, where rotations shrink in the playoffs and you rely on your starters more, the Thunder is in prime position to dominate games in the final frame and flip series on their head. 

So far this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the most efficient player in the clutch (min. 45 attempts) shooting a jaw-dropping 58 percent from the floor in that setting. He averages over three points in the clutch to help the Thunder pull away in games. 

As Oklahoma City's superstar typically sits on the bench to start the final quarter, the production does not drop off. Sophomore Jalen Williams is in the top ten (9) in total points in the fourth quarter (372). The Santa Clara product is 7.2 points in the final frame, the 11th-best mark in the association. 

Mix that with Mark Daigneault who many consider one of the best bench bosses in the NBA, Chet Holmgren's timely triples and the pressure the Thunder put on teams defensively and things set up for OKC to have postseason success.

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