How will the Thunder react to their first cold snap of the season?

Despite three defeats against Spurs, no one imagined such a stop for the current champion. So dominant since the start of the season, Ololama City However, they just suffered two defeats, after a tight end of the match in Phoenix, and then especially on their own field against Charlotte, who left Oklahoma with a sharp success.

This is the first attempt for the Thunder since winning the NBA title in June. Despite the absence of Jaylen Williams, the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander teammates were ahead of the competition at the start of the year, before seeing that gap disappear as the Spurs-Nuggets-Rockets-Lakers quartet was poised to take advantage.

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The time has already come to react, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows that it is up to him to initiate the jump, as he does on the floor, without giving in to panic.

“There’s still a lot of games left in the season. We’ve won a lot and we’ve lost big ones. There are nights that will be tough and others that will be great. But whatever happens, we have to try to improve in the next game. I think that’s what allows you, so to speak, to have character. It’s difficult, obviously, but that’s what the best teams do, and we’re trying to be.”, he recalled. “When you win the title and start the season like we did, that’s part of the game. I think it gives you a unique opportunity to really thrive on that. It’s a privilege in terms of competition to be a team that others want to face.”

Oklahoma City isn’t used to going through this kind of turbulence. Already last season we were afraid that the first wrong step would cause an explosion of dynamics. However, when adversity really hit – with a Game 7 win against Denver in the conference semifinals, then another Game 7 that ended against the Tyreese Haliburton-deprived Pacers – the Thunder were able to respond.

Marc Daigneault will be looking for no less today after seeing his side lose six times in their last twelve outings. As SGA reminded, this passage must serve as a revelation.

The right answer to give

“It makes you rise to face it, and if you can do that, then you can really come out stronger and have improved. If not, you pay the price. That’s why we have to learn from these games.” the coach remarked.

Chet Holmgren, for his part, calls for a measured reading: not everything should be thrown away, especially since several important elements were missing against Charlotte, such as Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein (as well as Jaylin Williams).

“We have to approach it with the necessary seriousness”said the interior. “You can’t just erase, erase the film and move on, but you also can’t overreact and let yourself be overcome by the emotions of a loss that no one likes to experience. You can’t let all this take over and train with a bad state of mind (…). We have to look at the situation objectively and identify areas where we can improve (…). You have to believe it much better (…). I’m sure everyone feels the same way.

And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat the bid to delay his turn: “When we lose a game, it’s usually because of the details, especially with the roster we have. A lot of times you don’t lose because of a lack of talent, it’s because of these little things, and that’s what makes you win in this league.”

Unlike Charlotte, OKC will be the favorite tonight as well, hosting the Jazz. Leaders will be expected this time, both in terms of intensity and ability to get things right.