Oklahoma City made the most of its final stretch of games – winning its final four games, including three on the road without its main cast playing at all. After a blazing 115-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in the final game of the season, the Thunder ended up winning a total of 68 games, which is one of the best records up to date in NBA history.

OKC has capped off an amazing season with a lot of feats from start to finish. That 68-14 record is the fifth most wins in NBA history, and has set the highest point differential of +1,055. On top of that, the Thunder have set the highest gap between a first seed and the second seed – by a whopping total of 16 games.

Let’s not forget the fact that the Thunder have also brought in the most double-digit wins in NBA history at 53, and would still be the first seed if you even counted their single-digit wins as losses. On top of that, OKC went 30-1 against the Eastern Conference – the best interconference record in league history.

Now, it’s all-in on the postseason, and the playoffs are definitely coming in hot now more than ever.

OKC’s Dream Run

After being knocked out of the West Semis last season, OKC returned on a mission this season and made sure that they are going to keep the same pace going in their games – now increasing their win total by 11 more games after finishing with 57 last season. However, it cannot be denied that the expectations are even higher than ever with the way they have improved so far.

This season has been nothing short of spectacular as they have set one big feat after another. OKC is the deepest team in the league, and that is hard to argue with considering that they are undefeated when the starters don’t play. So far, the Thunder have shown their worth all season – notching its second 60-win season and now seeking its first NBA Finals berth since 2012.

The season hasn’t been easy at all as OKC’s main cast has missed a lot of games for most of the campaign – Chet Holmgren was out for most of the run after he suffered an injury back in November, Isaiah Hartenstein was integrated late into the season, and the starters were never fully healthy until the final stretch.

Still, this dream run for OKC is yet to be seen as due. OKC is the seventh team to win at least 68 games. The 2016 Warriors (73 wins) lost in the NBA Finals, while the 1996 Bulls (72 wins), 1997 Bulls (69 wins), 1972 Lakers (69 wins), and the 1967 Sixers (68 wins) all have won their respective NBA championships. Only the 1973 Celtics (68 wins) did not reach the NBA Finals in that group.

A Hope for Bigger Strides

OKC has made some significant changes in the offseason – but zero adjustments in the midseason where a lot of massive trades have taken place. The Thunder have added a monster in the paint in Hartenstein, whose rebounding presence changes the game for OKC’s postseason hopes.

Alex Caruso, on the other hand, was traded for Josh Giddey in hopes of putting up a three-and-D player on the rotation and expand the Thunder’s options with the postseason in their hands.

OKC is set to wait for its opponent in the first round of the playoffs while the Play-In Tournament ensues. This can be any of the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, or the Dallas Mavericks.