2024-25 Knicks Opponents: Oklahoma City Thunder

Could these two title contenders be on a collision course to the NBA Finals?

Not too long ago, the Knicks and Thunder had something interesting in common. They were two of the four teams with the most draft assets in the NBA, but they are leaps and bounds better than all other teams with a sizable surplus.

While OKC is still up there, the Knicks moved dramatically down the y-axis in consolidating their assets to improve the roster. OKC also improved this offseason, notably at the expense of the Knicks. Both teams enter as contenders to win the NBA Finals and there’s been buzz about the two teams meeting in the Finals from the national media. How do the Knicks stack up? Could they beat a Thunder team as equipped as any to become the next dynasty?

Knicks’ Record vs Oklahoma City in 2023-24: 0-2

• December 27, 2023: Thunder won 129-120
• March 31, 2024: Thunder won 113-112

Well, last season didn’t go so well.

The first meeting in OKC was the second-to-last game of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley’s careers in New York. The porous Knicks defense, which was among the worst in the league in December as they languished without Mitchell Robinson with OG Anunoby still in Toronto, gave up 69 points in the first half as the Thunder blitzed to a double-digit lead. A valiant comeback effort tied it briefly in the third quarter before Jalen Williams took over for 17 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter. While Quickley, Brunson, and Randle all played well, this game continued a lengthy slump for post-migraine RJ, as he shot 5-14 and 1-7 from 3.

When the two teams met again, it was a shorthanded Knicks team without Robinson, Anunoby, and Randle attempting to take down the eventual top seed. To their credit, they led by double digits late in the third and to start the fourth. That said, the OG-less defense got crushed to the tune of 38 points in the fourth. Extremely questionable officiating alongside Jalen Williams scoring 33 on 17 shots, had the Knicks down late until Jalen Brunson’s heroic go-ahead layup (which is an and-one in a just league). Unfortunately, SGA did what stars do and sized up Deuce McBride before unleashing a heartbreaking game-winning 15-footer with 1.8 to go.

Knicks/Thunder 2024-25 Schedule:

• Fri, Jan 3, 2025: Knicks @ Thunder (MSG, NBATV)
• Fri, Jan 10, 2025: Thunder @ Knicks (MSG)

Kinda surprised the NBA didn’t put one of these games on national television. Oh well, the more Mike and Clyde, the better.

Oklahoma City’s Offseason Moves

In:

Alex Caruso (trade)

Isaiah Hartenstein (free agency)

Nikola Topic (draft)

Dillon Jones (draft)

Out:

Gordon Hayward (UFA)

Keyontae Johnson (Hornets)

Josh Giddey (Bulls)

Not only did the Thunder make one of the more baffling trades (on Chicago’s part) of the offseason, they also poached beloved Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein. The advantage of having a young and inexpensive core is that they had plenty of money, which they threw at Hartenstein at $29 million a year. Oh yeah, that Caruso guy is pretty nice too, just not when guarding Jalen Brunson. They also re-signed Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.

Also to be mentioned, Sam Presti and Leon Rose are besties. They’ve made a deal with each other in three of the past four drafts, including the trades that got them Dillon Jones and Ousmane Dieng.

Projected Starters

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) / Jalen Brunson (NYK)

SG: Luguentz Dort (OKC) / Mikal Bridges (NYK)

SF: Jalen Williams (OKC) / OG Anunoby (NYK)

PF: Chet Holmgren (OKC) / Julius Randle (NYK)

C: Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC) / Mitchell Robinson (NYK)

Whew, what a lineup. Since both meetings are in January, I am cautiously optimistic the Knicks will have Big Mitch to meet with his own bestie as competitors for the first time since 2022.

Knicks’ Predicted Record vs Oklahoma City this season: 1-1

It’s not going to be easy and the injury question marks could easily have the Knicks be swept. There aren’t many players I would take over Jalen Brunson but SGA is one of them. OKC also has very good depth with Caruso, Joe, the other A. Wiggins, the other J. Williams, and Cason Wallace. I’m not one to bet against my Knicks, so I’m hoping for two fun games and a rematch in June. Sound good?