SAN FRANCISCO – A month ago, the Thunder’s dominance was so resounding, so loud, that even Draymond Green’s voice was drowned out.
The defending champions entered and departed San Francisco with one loss on their record. Their 21-1 mark spoke volumes about how overwhelming Oklahoma City had been to that point, with the team blowing away the competition by an average of 15 points per game.
Talk of the Thunder equaling or exceeding the 2015-16 Warriors’ NBA record of 73-9 was deafening, and Green’s postgame words of wisdom barely registered.
“It’s hard, but I do think they’re capable,” Green said following that 124-112 loss on December 2, before adding, “You just need so many things to go right.”
The Thunder eventually reached 24-1 — two of those coming over the Warriors — before four losses six games knocked them off their record pace.
And with those four losses, their odds of winning 74 games is, realistically, zero percent.
Oklahoma City, who entered Friday night’s return trip to the Bay Area with a 29-5 record, remains a juggernaut and championship favorite.
But the Warriors’ historic win total is safe for at least one more season. A glance through NBA history shows that there is no shame in the Thunder being unable to keep such a strenuous pace.
There have been a number of talented teams that started the season strong but tailed off. For every 2015-16 Warriors, who began the year 24-1, there are the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
Led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the Rockets began the year 22-1 before slowing down and finishing at 58-24.
They later won the NBA Finals. So while the Thunder are now highly unlikely to reach the all-time wins record, with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the team’s endless collection of talented wings, winning a championship as a consolation prize is still very much possible.
Stars sit out
A national television audience tuning in tonight in hopes of watching the vestiges of a fading dynasty face the current juggernaut will likely be disappointed.
Coming off a three-game road trip that saw the team play thrice in four days, the Warriors decided to rest their stars on Friday.
Steph Curry, who tweaked his left ankle in the closing seconds of Wednesday’s game in Charlotte, was listed as questionable and later ruled out.
Jimmy Butler was also listed as questionable with an illness, and De’Anthony Melton’s status was uncertain as the team debated whether to rest him for load management purposes.
Both were later ruled out. Draymond Green was given the night off. Jonathan Kuminga, who has not played in the last six games, is expected to be in the rotation.