OKC Thunder Finding Success in Clutch Situations

After struggling to close games last season, the Thunder are putting it together this year.

Playing well in high-pressure moments has been a strength for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

The Thunder have earned a spot near the top of the West, and coming away with wins in tight games has helped them do so. So far this season, more than half of the Thunder’s games have been clutch games.

Clutch games are defined as games within five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. With 18 games fitting that criteria in 2023-24, Oklahoma City has gone 11-7.

The Thunder’s most recent clutch game showed their ability to perform late in games despite a loss. After trailing by 16 in the final three minutes against the Atlanta Hawks, the Thunder still had a shot to tie as time expired.

To get in that position, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried Oklahoma City as he has so many times this season. In 17 clutch appearances this season, the star guard has shot 19-of-30 from the floor. Among those makes is his game-winning mid-range jumper against the Denver Nuggets.

Gilgeous-Alexander is not the only Thunder player to knock down game-changing shots in the final seconds. Rookie big man Chet Holmgren has swung two games against the Golden State Warriors by forcing overtime, where the Thunder went on to win.

In clutch minutes this season, Holmgren has shot 57.7% from the field and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. While those two have been good, Jalen Williams has been nearly unstoppable in those situations.

The runner-up for last season’s Rookie of the Year has shot 11-of-14 from the floor and 11-of-12 from the free throw line in the clutch. His numbers, along with the entire team’s, have improved from 2022-23.

Last season, the Thunder played in 43 clutch games, going 17-26. Despite his strong candidacy for Clutch Player of the Year, Gilgeous-Alexander shot just 38.7% in clutch situations, nearly 25% worse than he is shooting this season.

Factor in the improved help around him and the Thunder’s growth as a team this season and Gilgeous-Alexander may be poised to be named the best clutch player in the league on what could be the best clutch team.

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