The 2023–24 Oklahoma City Thunder season is the 16th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 58th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

After a win over the Rockets on February 27, the Thunder improved on their 40–42 record from the previous year. After a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Thunder reached 50 wins for the first time since 2016. On March 31, 2024, the Thunder clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 after a win against the New York Knicks. They eventually clinched their first division title since 2016, along with the top seed in the Western Conference for the first time since 2013. The Thunder became the youngest team to earn the 1-seed since seeding began in 1984 (with an average age almost two years younger than the previous record holder, the 2004–05 Phoenix Suns).

Previous season

The Thunder finished the 2022–23 season 40–42 to finish third in the Northwest Division, tenth in the Western Conference and qualified for the play-in tournament. The Thunder won its first game against the New Orleans Pelicans but were eliminated against Minnesota Timberwolves in the second game. This marks the third consecutive season that the Thunder failed to qualify for the playoffs since moving to Oklahoma City.

In their third year of the rebuild, the Thunder exceeded their win expectations behind the All-Star play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, second-year guard Josh Giddey and rookie Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander broke out for the Thunder averaging a career-high 31.4 points, becoming one of the league's top scorers and notched his first All-Star selection. Gilgeous-Alexander was later named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time. With Giddey and Williams also breaking out as scorers, the Thunder improved offensively and were fifth in points per game as a team after finishing last in the league last season.

In his rookie season, Jalen Williams—the 12th pick in the 2022 NBA draft—led the team in field goal percentage at 52.1% while averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals a game. Williams finished the season winning two Western Conference Rookie of the Month and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.

Finishing tenth place in the Western Conference, the Thunder held the final play-in spot, seeing their first postseason action since the 2019–20 season. Behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 32 points, Giddey's 31 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists, and Luguentz Dort's 27 points, the Thunder won its first-ever play-in game before being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves with a chance to make the playoffs.

Offseason

Draft

The Thunder had one first-round pick and two second-round picks entering the draft. Their sole first-round pick had a 1.7% chance to win the first overall pick and a 8.1% chance to jump in the top four after losing the tiebreaker with the Chicago Bulls for the eleventh best odds. Sam Presti represented the Thunder in the lottery drawing room while Nick Collison represented the Thunder at the draft lottery for the second consecutive year. Since retiring, Collison has served a position within the Thunder's front office, recently being named an amateur evaluation scout. With an 85.2% chance at staying at twelfth, the Thunder ended the night with the 12th overall pick. After the lottery, the order of the Thunder's two second-round picks were revealed. Due to the San Antonio Spurs picking ahead of the Houston Rockets in the draft, the Thunder's second-round pick that would have been conveyed from the Portland Trail Blazers at 35th overall, was instead conveyed to the Boston Celtics. The Thunder instead, acquired the 50th overall pick from the Miami Heat. The Thunder's other second-round pick, originally from the Washington Wizards via New Orleans Pelicans from the Steven Adams trade, landed at 37th overall.

On draft night, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Dereck Lively II, the 12th overall pick, to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the draft rights to Cason Wallace, the 10th overall pick, and Dāvis Bertāns. Coming out of Kentucky after his freshman year, Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals—landing him on the SEC All-Freshman Team. Wallace gained recognition for his elite defense, drawing comparisons to Jrue Holiday as a two-way combo guard who can disrupt opposing guards and can offensively make the right play. The Thunder then traded the draft rights to Hunter Tyson, the 37th overall pick, and the least favorable of the Thunder's 2024 first-round picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a future protected 2029 first-round pick. With the 50th pick, the Thunder drafted Keyontae Johnson out of Kansas State. Johnson played his first four years with Florida before collapsing on the court after suffering a heart inflammation. Transferring to Kansas State, Johnson averaged 17.4 points and 6.8 rebounds on 51.4% shooting. Described as a fundamentally sound two-way player, Johnson averaged 38.9% on his 3-point attempts in addition to being effective on defense with opponents shooting 32.6% with Johnson as the primary defender.

The Thunder ended 2023 NBA draft night with Kentucky guard Cason Wallace and Kansas State guard Keyontae Johnson. During the Thunder's 2023 Draft Class Press Conference, general manager Sam Presti confirmed that Johnson will be one of the Thunder's two-way contract players headed into the season, which he later signed on July 7.

Free agency

For this offseason, free agency began on June 30, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. EST. Dario Šarić was set to hit unrestricted free agency while two-way players Jared Butler and Olivier Sarr were set to hit restricted free agency. In addition, Lindy Waters III had an upcoming team option and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl held a non-guaranteed contract with the team heading into the season. On June 29, the Thunder declined Waters III's team option worth $1.9 million. Waters III started with the Thunder on a two-way contract before being converted into a standard contract. In two seasons, Waters III averaged 6.3 points while shooting 36% from three on 4.7 attempts. However on August 18, the Thunder re-signed Waters III to a two-way contract after losing Butler in free agency. The Thunder also declined to extend a qualifying offer to Jared Butler and Olivier Sarr, making them both an unrestricted free agent. However on August 21, the Thunder re-signed Sarr to another two-way contract. On June 30, the Thunder guaranteed Jeremiah Robinson-Earl's contract worth $1.9 million. Since being drafted in 2021, Robinson-Earl averaged 7.2 points and 4.9 rebounds in two seasons with the Thunder.

On July 1, it was reported that Vasilije Micić agreed to a three-year, $23.5 million contract with the Thunder, which he later signed on July 17. The Thunder included a team option on Micić's third year in his contract. Originally drafted in 2014 by the Philadelphia 76ers, Micić's draft rights were traded to the Thunder in 2020 as part of the Al Horford trade. Playing in the EuroLeague, Micić developed as one of the top players, winning back-to-back EuroLeague titles, being named the EuroLeague MVP in 2021, and winning the EuroLeague Final Four MVP twice in 2021 and 2022. In his last season with Anadolu Efes, Micić averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists on 43.5% shooting. On July 1, it was reported that Jack White agreed to a two-year contract with the Thunder, which he later signed on July 20 after the Thunder waived Rudy Gay. White joins the Thunder after winning an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals. However, on October 22, the Thunder waived White to finalize their regular season roster.

Trades

On July 6, the Thunder acquired Victor Oladipo, a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2030 second-round pick from the Miami Heat in exchange for cash considerations. The Thunder absorbed Oladipo's $9.45 million expiring contract into cap room while the Heat generated a $9.45 million trade exception. Oladipo, who previously played for the Thunder in the 2016–17 season, suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during the 2023 NBA playoffs and was traded by the Heat for some financial flexibility due to being over the tax threshold for the season. On July 8, the Thunder acquired Patty Mills, a 2024 second-round pick, a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2030 second-round pick from the Houston Rockets as a part of a broader five-team trade, in which the Thunder will send cash considerations to the Atlanta Hawks. The Thunder then re-routed Mills to the Hawks in exchange for Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay and TyTy Washington Jr., and a 2026 second-round pick. Recent first-round picks Garuba and Washington Jr. arrived to the Thunder after being traded by the Houston Rockets to the Hawks as part of the Dillon Brooks five-team trade. However on August 18, the Thunder waived Washington Jr. The Thunder then waived Garuba three days later on August 21.

On October 17, the Thunder acquired Kevin Porter Jr., a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. However, Porter Jr. was waived after being arrested for his domestic assault charge during the offseason.

Front office & coaching changes

Following the Washington Wizards' hiring of Michael Winger, Will Dawkins joined the Wizards as the team's general manager. Joining the Thunder in 2008, Dawkins oversaw the Thunder's scouting department for three years before joining the front office. Starting off as an intern, Dawkins served as one of the vice president of basketball operations, sharing the title with Rob Hennigan. Dawkins's promotion marks the fifth assistant under general manager Sam Presti who went onto become a general manager. During the Thunder's 2023 Draft Press Conference, Presti said Hennigan would remain as the only vice president of basketball operations for the season following Dawkins' departure.

On July 19, the Thunder announced that head coach Mark Daigneault signed a multi-year contract extension. Starting off as the head coach for the 2020–21 season, Daigneault had a 16-win improvement in the 2022–23 season where the Thunder ultimately finished with a 40–42 record, including a play-in game victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Daigneault would later finish second in the 2023 NBA Coach of the Year voting.

Injuries

During an offseason workout, Aleksej Pokuševski sustained a small right humerus fracture and would be re-evaluated in approximately four to six weeks. Pokuševski missed 38 games including the Thunder's two play-in games last season.

Summer Leagues

Salt Lake City

The Thunder participated in the 2023 Salt Lake City Summer League alongside the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers. This marked the second straight year the Thunder participated in the round-robin showcase. On July 1, the Thunder announced their summer league roster for Salt Lake City which notably featured Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Keyontae Johnson, Tre Mann, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jaylin Williams. Rookie Cason Wallace, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks, did not participate due to the trade not being official until July 6.

Las Vegas

The Thunder participated in the 2023 Las Vegas Summer League following a 2–1 record in the Salt Lake City Summer League. Rookie Cason Wallace was eligible to participate after missing Salt Lake City Summer League due to his trade. After being acquired by the Thunder, TyTy Washington Jr. was added to the summer league roster for the final two games.

Season synopsis

Preseason

The Thunder announced their preseason schedule on August 4. The Thunder played five games, with three games in Oklahoma and one international game in Montreal. The Thunder opened their preseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs on October 9. Making his preseason debut after missing the 2022–23 season, Chet Holmgren faced off against Victor Wembanyama, the 1st overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sitting, Holmgren led the Thunder with 21 points and 9 rebounds with in a 122–121 win. As part of the NBA Canada Series, the Thunder faced off in their first of two meetings against the Detroit Pistons. The Thunder led by as many as 21 points before falling to the Pistons in a 128–125 loss with Luguentz Dort scoring 24 points in his homecoming in Montreal. The Thunder ended preseason with a 2–3 record, with wins against the Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Regular season

October

The Thunder began their 16th season since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City against the Chicago Bulls on October 25. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points and 10 assists in a 124–104 win. Late in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander keyed a 12–0 run that broke open a Thunder run headed into the fourth. Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey each added 16 points while Chet Holmgren had 11 points in his professional debut. Against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 27, the Thunder trailed 102–93 with 1:56 left late in the 4th quarter before three straight 3-pointers. Behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points and Holmgren's 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 blocks, the Thunder rallied on a 15–3 run to stun the Cavaliers in a 108–105 win.

January

On January 25, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named a 2024 NBA All-Star starter for the first time, with this being his second consecutive season being named an All-Star. In 43 games, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.2 steals in 34.3 minutes per game, leading the Thunder to a 31–13 record, which tied for best in the west. Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30-plus points in 32 games this season, which was most in the league. Gilgeous-Alexander joins Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Paul George as the fourth different Thunder player to be named an All-Star starter.

February

At the trade deadline, the Thunder completed two trades with the Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder traded Dāvis Bertāns, Tre Mann, Vasilije Micić, two second-round picks, and cash considerations to the Hornets in exchange for Gordon Hayward. Coming over from the Mavericks in the offseason, Bertāns appeared in 15 games for the Thunder and averaged 2.9 points in 6.1 minutes per game. Mann, who was originally selected 18th overall in the 2021 NBA draft, appeared in 140 games for the Thunder and averaged 8.5 points in 19.1 minutes. Mann gradually saw his role diminished during the 2022–23 season with the emergence of Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Micić appeared in 30 games for the Thunder after coming overseas and averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 assists in 12.0 minutes. The Thunder also traded their 2024 second-least favorable first-round pick to the Mavericks in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick swap. After trading for Hayward, the Thunder opened up two roster spots. The Thunder converted Lindy Waters III's two-way contract to a standard contract. Waters III, who originally was on a standard contract before being waived to a two-way, appeared in 21 games for the Thunder and averaged 2.8 points while shooting 41.9% from three. To fill in the open two-way slot, the Thunder signed Adam Flagler who spent the 2023–24 season with the Oklahoma City Blue after going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft. The Thunder also signed Bismack Biyombo to fill in the last standard roster spot. Biyombo appeared in 30 games for the Memphis Grizzlies and averaged 5.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 23.9 minutes.

Coming off a 35-point loss against the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 38 points, Jalen Williams scored 32 points as the Thunder defeated the Sacramento Kings in a 127–113 win, their first win against the Kings since the 2021–22 season. Gilgeous-Alexander made 15 of 26 shots while Williams made 13 of 20 shots with 8 rebounds and 7 assists. At 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams were both selected for Team Jalen while Cason Wallace was selected for Team Pau. On February 23, the Thunder waived Aleksej Pokuševski after four seasons. Drafted 17th in the 2020 NBA draft, Pokuševski appeared in 150 games for the Thunder and averaged 7.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20.6 minutes. Pokuševski enjoyed his best year during the 2022–23 season, averaging 8.1 points and 1.3 blocks while shooting a career-high 43.4% from the field and 36.5% from three in 34 appearances.

March

After waiving Pokuševski, the Thunder signed Mike Muscala to the last roster spot after being bought out by the Detroit Pistons. Muscala returns to the Thunder after spending four seasons, averaging 7.0 points on 39.2% from three in 14.5 minutes.

Roster

Salaries

Source: Spotrac

Standings

Division

Conference

Game log

Preseason

Regular season

Playoffs

In-Season Tournament

This will be the first regular season where all the NBA teams will compete in a mid-season tournament setting due to the implementation of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament. During the in-season tournament period, the Thunder will compete in Group C of the Western Conference, which will include the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs.

West group C

Record vs. opponents

Player statistics

Preseason

  Led team in statistic

Source: RealGM
^T Waived/Traded after preseason

Regular season

  Led team in statistic

Source: Basketball-Reference
^‡ Waived during the season
^† Traded during the season
^≠ Acquired during the season

Playoffs

  Led team in statistic

Individual game highs

Awards and records

Awards

Records

• On October 27, 2023, Chet Holmgren set a Thunder rookie record with 7 blocks against the Cleveland Cavaliers, surpassing his teammate Aleksej Pokuševski.
• On December 8, 2023, the Thunder set a team record with 29 forced turnovers against the Golden State Warriors.
• On January 18, 2024, the Thunder set a team record with 24 assists in the first half against the Utah Jazz.
• On March 12, 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passed Kevin Durant for the Thunder's single season record for most 30-point games against the Indiana Pacers.
• On March 31, 2024, Josh Giddey became the first player to record a triple-double in their first three games played at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks.

Milestones

• On November 22, 2023, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passed Serge Ibaka on the Thunder's all-time scoring list.

Injuries

G League assignments

Source: NBA G League Transactions

Transactions

Overview

Trades

Free agency

Re-signings

^ a: Lindy Waters III had his team option declined and was later signed to a two-way contract.

Additions

Subtractions

G League

The Oklahoma City Blue started their 10th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and their 23rd season in the NBA G League. Last season, the Blue finished with a record of 13–19 and failed to make the playoffs.

Under Kameron Woods's second season, the Blue finished the regular season with a 21–13 record and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season. Entering the playoffs as the third seed, the Blue defeated Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the first round in a 126–125 overtime win behind Ousmane Dieng's game winner. Advancing into the semifinals, the Blue defeated Sioux Falls Skyforce in a 111–93 win after winning the fourth quarter 34–18 to advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2019. Facing off against the top-seeded Stockton Kings, the Blue outscored the Kings by 24 points to lead 58–45 at halftime. Despite a late comeback, the Blue won 114–107 and advanced to their second-ever G League Finals since the team was known as the Tulsa 66ers. In the best-of-three series against Maine Celtics, the Blue split the first two games, with both teams winning at home. In the decisive game three, the Blue built on an early lead and outscored the Celtics by 16 points to hold a 63–40 halftime lead. After a back-and-forth third quarter, the Blue led 92–67 entering the fourth quarter. Behind Ousmane Dieng and Jahmi'us Ramsey, the Blue won its first-ever championship, defeating the Celtics 117–100, clinching their first championship since becoming the only affiliate for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Thunder assignment Ousmane Dieng was named NBA G League Finals MVP after scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks.

References