Social Media Reacts: OKC Thunder Takes Top Spot in West

The Oklahoma City Thunder grabbed the top spot in the Western Conference on Sunday knocking off the Phoenix Suns.

On Sunday, the Oklahoma City Thunder outlasted the Phoenix Suns by handling multiple double-digit scoring runs on their way to a massive road victory. The Thunder with that win grabbed the top spot in the tightly contested Western Conference. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves falling to the L.A. Clippers earlier in the afternoon cracked the door open for the Thunder to bust through on National Television. This young OKC team made a statement exchanging the lead three times, seeing the game tied twice, growing and blowing a 24-point lead, to ultimately win by eight.

Oklahoma City navigated a poor shooting night stroking the trey ball at just a 29 percent clip by getting out and running in transition. Thanks to forcing 21 turnovers the Thunder posted 18 fast break points, ten more than their Phoenix counterparts. 

Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander logged another 30-plus point game, his 45th of the season, and looked every bit the Most Valuable Player in the NBA turning in a trio of steals and blocks as well. 

All five members of the starting five notched double-digit points, with Jalen Williams turning in 22 points on just nine missed shots, four rebounds, and two assists.

Though, what makes the Thunder so dangerous is how many players can step up off the bench as three players had a five-plus point outing off the pine for Oklahoma City. Aaron Wiggins was insanely valuable on both ends of the floor flustering the Suns with four steals, chipping in seven points, two rebounds, and a block. Cason Wallace tossed in five points as Isaiah Joe finished with eight. 

That depth makes the Thunder's claim to the top spot in the Western Conference feel even more legitimate. As OKC owns sole possession of first place, social media was on fire following this contest. 

YOUR NEW #1 SEED OUT WEST‼️ pic.twitter.com/WeymfPuREd

— Thunder Muse (@ThunderMuse_) March 4, 2024

Shai’s now got 45 games of scoring 30+ points in back to back seasons

The last guy to do that was named Michael Jordan

— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) March 4, 2024

The Thunder own sole possession of 1st place: pic.twitter.com/Aqe9AIttAC

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) March 4, 2024

Thunder officially have a winning record this season.

RIP OKC Rebuild
2020-2022

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) March 4, 2024

When you check the NBA Standings on March 3rd in the year of our Lord 2024 at 11:13 p.m. central time. pic.twitter.com/hF7A84RxpZ

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) March 4, 2024

Good night to all who celebrate. pic.twitter.com/PzWPtwCBhy

— Matty Mulls 🎙 (@mattymullspod) March 4, 2024

Fantastic win by the Thunder.

It wasn’t pretty from start to finish, but most importantly they came out with the W.

OKC is back on top of the West and pick up a battle scar win that can hopefully help to continue to help mature this team as they head towards the playoffs.

— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) March 4, 2024

The last time the Thunder were 42-18 was Feb. 28, 2016

Here is the box score from their 42nd win pic.twitter.com/duD7J4jr4Z

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) March 4, 2024

imagine telling someone 6 months ago that OKC would be the #1 team in the west in March.

what a story. what a team.

— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) March 4, 2024

OKC trailed 17-4 early. Came back and led by 24. Phoenix came back and led by 6 in the fourth quarter. OKC came back, ending the game on a 26-14 run.

Numerous occasions where OKC has weathered storms and silenced the "they're too young" talk.

The Thunder are now in sole…

— 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗠. 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼 (@SuaveCEO_) March 4, 2024

The youngest team in the NBA is now the #1 seed in the West after a wild win against the Suns.

Got out to a 24-point lead in the 1st half.
Lost the lead.
And then their MVP-candidate SGA took them home in the 4th with…

35 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. https://t.co/Unmfvk7WaW

— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) March 4, 2024

The Shai parallels to Michael Jordan this year are not outlandish, I’ll say that. The calmness under pressure and shot creation are truly something else when you’re watching him live.

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) March 4, 2024

Get you a franchise that can do both. pic.twitter.com/oAaK4yy7A8

— Dr Clam, Medicine Mollusk (@MedicineClam) March 4, 2024

Oklahoma City sits alone at the top of the Western Conference. That contest against the Suns gave off bigtime playoff vibes.

— Nick Crain (@CrainNBA) March 4, 2024

Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder will head to L.A. to take on the Lakers on the second night of a back-to-back.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.