The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their rise as a Western Conference contender in the 2024–25 NBA season—but not without their fair share of nail-biters. Over the course of the regular season, the Thunder were tested repeatedly in tightly contested battles, playing in 28 games decided by fewer than 10 points, where they posted a balanced 14–14 record.
These games showcased both the promise and the pressure that comes with a young, talented roster learning to close out games in high-stakes situations. The Thunder’s struggles were more apparent in the most razor-thin margins, going just 1–4 in games decided by three points or fewer, a sign that late-game execution remains an area for growth.
The trend continued into the postseason. Oklahoma City edged out the Memphis Grizzlies 117–115 in the first round—demonstrating clutch resilience—only to later fall 121–119 to the Denver Nuggets in a heartbreaker during the conference semifinals.
These results underline a clear narrative for the Thunder: they are competitive in nearly every game and are becoming a tough out in the West, but still need to sharpen their late-game instincts to take the next step toward championship contention.
With another year of experience under their belt and a core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams, the Thunder’s ability to turn close losses into wins could be the difference between playoff success and a deep title run in the seasons to come.