Coming into the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, the Thunder were one of the favorites to win. Last year, in the first year of the NBA Cup, the Thunder did not perform particularly well. Unfortunately, the Thunder went 1-3 and missed the NBA Cup playoffs. This season, they wanted to perform better so they could get a chance to compete for the NBA Cup. The Thunder were put in West’s Group B along with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz. The Thunder’s toughest challenger in this group was the Lakers, who won the NBA Cup last season. In addition, the Thunder have struggled against the Lakers in the past.
Even with all the injuries the Thunder were dealing with throughout the NBA Cup, they were able to go 3-1 in the group stage. Their only loss came against the Spurs in a hard-fought game that came down to the final minutes. Moreover, they claimed the one seed in the west since they had the best point differential with the other two teams that were 3-1. The Thunder are set to play the Dallas Mavericks in the knockout semifinals on Tuesday, Dec. 10th. Today, we will examine the benefits for the Thunder in making the NBA Cup Playoffs.
Thunder.
Rockets.
Warriors.
Mavericks.
Bucks.
Knicks.
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Magic.The #EmiratesNBACup Knockout Rounds are set!
🏆 Quarterfinals 🏆
📅 12/10 on TNT
📅 12/11 on ESPN & TNT pic.twitter.com/ua8ZYMUnyR— NBA (@NBA) December 4, 2024
The Benefits For the Thunder Making the NBA Cup Playoffs
The Thunder get More Experience in Playoff Like Games
Last year, when the Thunder claimed the one seed, a lot of teams didn’t fear them, considering their little to no playoff experience. Their second-round loss to the Mavericks was a direct result of their lack of experience. This year, that won’t be a fear anymore now that they have experience. However, it is still not like some of the other West teams they may have to face in the playoffs. This means that any game the Thunder can get that can simulate that playoff atmosphere will help them even more when it comes to the NBA playoffs. With the Thunder making it to the NBA Cup Playoffs, they will get a chance to play in more games that simulate the playoff atmosphere.
Ultimately, the NBA Cup Playoffs aren’t the NBA Playoffs, but teams still game plan against you more than they do in the regular season. In addition, it is a one-game elimination, and teams will give you their best punch in those games. These games the Thunder will play whether it is one game or three games, will help build a foundation that they can build on in the NBA playoffs. Unfortunately, this was something they weren’t able to get last year.
Get to See How Opponents Might Play Them in the Playoffs
In addition, to getting more experience, the Thunder will also get a look at how opponents might play them in the playoffs. In the NBA Cup Playoffs, teams will gameplan against you more than they do in the regular season, but not as much as they would in the NBA playoffs. Regardless, the Thunder will get a chance to see different looks from other teams and time to gameplan against those so they will be ready in the playoffs. This will be a huge benefit to the players on the Thunder, especially the new guys.
Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso weren’t on the Thunder a year ago, and they don’t know how teams might try and guard them in the postseason. Will teams leave Caruso alone on the perimeter with his shooting struggles on the year to help stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from driving? Will teams sag off of Hartenstein since he isn’t a shooter to try and stop him from finding guys cutting? These are some of the many questions the Thunder can get answers to in these games. Finally, with the injury to Chet Holmgren, the two guys you have to stop on the Thunder are Jalen Williams and Shai. How will teams guard the two of them with no Holmgren?
The Thunder Will See how Their Schemes Work in a Playoff Atmosphere
Playing in the NBA Cup playoffs will also allow the Thunder to see how they match against opposing teams in the playoffs. Besides getting different looks from opposing teams, they can also show different looks to those teams as well and see what sticks and what doesn’t. How does your offense look with a center who can’t shoot in the playoffs? Who do opposing teams try and attack on defense for matchup purposes? Which of your many elite defenders is best to cover? For example, in their first-round matchup against the Mavericks, who is the best to cover Luka Doncic, and who is the best to cover Kyrie Irving? These are all questions the Thunder can get answers to and build a foundation that they can work on throughout the regular season to be better prepared for the postseason.
The Last Word on the Thunder NBA Cup Playoffs
Finally, the Thunder making the NBA Cup Playoffs comes with a bunch of benefits. However, if they are unable to win the NBA Cup, it isn’t the end of the world either. There isn’t a great reward for winning the NBA Cup besides getting extra money. This is something the NBA should try and figure out to make it even more competitive in the future. Regardless, the more games the Thunder can play in the NBA Cup Playoffs, the more answers they will get from certain questions, which will help build a foundation for the Thunder come April.
