The Oklahoma City Thunder will finish with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season. It’s an impressive feat, but it also puts more pressure on them to succeed in the playoffs.
In 2024, the Thunder were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Dallas Mavericks in six games despite having homecourt advantage. If the Thunder come up short yet again, former NBA guard Patrick Beverley revealed what change he thinks they might consider if that’s how it shapes up for them.
“What happens to the OKC coach (Mark Daigenault) if they don’t go far in the playoffs?” Beverley asked on his podcast. “Again, Coach of the Year. No. 1 seed, been doing it for two, three years, can’t ger over the hump. If I’m him, I’m looking at this (expletive) like, ‘Oh my God!’ I’m shakin’ in my boots.”
Beverley was once considered a Thunder rival because of his history with Russell Westbrook back when he played for Oklahoma City. Both have since made up after becoming teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2022 season.
For all that the Thunder have achieved in the regular season for the past two seasons, it would be a bad look if the team came up short for the second consecutive year. Losing in the NBA Finals might not look so bad, but if the Thunder lose in the same round they did last year, that could jeopardize Daigenault’s job.
The Thunder dominated from start to finish during the 2025 season and had a 10-plus game lead over the rest of the conference. However, the Thunder will face teams that might not have as much talent but make up for it with experience.
Going up against LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and/or Nikola Jokic will be tough because all three have reached the top. Even if the Thunder stood head and shoulders above the conference in the regular season, time will tell if the same success will happen in the postseason.
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