OKC Thunder STAVE OFF Jazz | SGA Shines in OT | Front Court Depth Must Get Healthy
Oklahoma City Thunder escape in overtime as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pours in 46 points to fend off the surging Utah Jazz. Despite a 20-point lead evaporating and glaring issues with Thunder’s front court depth needing to get healthy, SGA’s clutch play and leadership turn a potential embarrassment into a much-needed win. Can OKC’s title hopes survive if their big men stay sidelined?
Rylan Stiles breaks down OKC’s latest thriller, spotlighting Chet Holmgren’s physical growth on the glass, Aaron Wiggins in the starting lineup, and Mark Daigneault’s bold defensive adjustments. Key topics include the Thunder’s struggle with rebounding, lineup shake-ups aiming to spark the offense, and why Isaiah Hartenstein’s return is critical for paint protection. Who will step up for the Thunder until their front court is healthy—and could complacency derail their momentum? Don’t miss this incisive OKC Thunder analysis as playoff season looms .
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.
Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Rocket Money
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON
Betterhelp
BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/NBA.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away. Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/lockedonnba.
Quo — no missed calls, no missed customers.
Gametime
Today’s episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA and NFL seasons are here, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-thunder/
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba
#OklahomaCityThunder #OKCThunder #shaigilgeousalexander
28 Comments
Not freaking out but I don’t understand how we can be so good at shooting and so bad at the same time 7-38 from three is disgusting and we lead the league in 3 pt % in the 2023-24 season….
It's a uggly win. They are facing difficulties but at least they won this one…. But still worrying…
Yeah bro, this team isn't that great. This was a lucky win. Trade everyone except Shai.
Mark definitely need to play Branden Carlson. Not saying he is gonna go out there and turn into IHart right away. But the only way u could find out what u got is by playing them. Who know who he may turn out to be. Look at Hornets-Kalkbrenner, Kings-Raynaud, Jazz-Filipowski, all 2nd rounder, turn out to be serviceable. If he is still not ready, then Sam may needs to get some help before trade deadline. We can't depend the whole championship on one guy-Ihart. Who knows if he may get hurt during the playoff or whatsoever. Even IHart comes back, who knows if Chet may get hurt too and need some days off? Our front courts are shorthanded. IHart, JWill all missed time.
Okc is the only team in the league that gets criticized after winning.. Im just wondering why IHart hasnt got put on IR
Lol perfect description of every fan went Lu went for the step back middy 😂 "Nooooo…… ok yes"
⚡️
It's not that Ihart is missing, our offense has been terrible. We're missing way too many open shots.
@obryn – 25 negging comments. What a sad sack of shi% 😂😅
Mark is losing this team… You can’t have 3 possessions in a row where Ajay and Wiggins drive to the hoop early in a possession throwing up contested layups, and Shai never touched the ball. It has happened too many times the past three games. Cason (who’s been playing sub par) being unaware of the shot clock. And we are seeing why BC is not going to make the Thunder playoff roster.
Trade ous for a backup center could help
Sure will be glad to see Hartenstein back on the floor.
Sorry ass okc 😂 jazz the worst team and they got yall in ot n shit
It's thundering and storming hard af in OKC right now! 😂 Tornadoes at 7 a.m is crazy! But THUNDER UP!! ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Players are just standing around flat footed. Jalen Williams is nowhere to be found. I think he got 17 points. This is deeper than missing iHart in my opinion. Additionally, our bench could outscore anyones bench in the NBA. Not anymore… Fast break points…where are they?
Why are teams so miraculously clutch against us? Late in game when other teams need a clufch bucket its like they get it every time
We have skinny yet skilled bigs, with I Hart being our only bruiser. We could use a Javale Mcgee for emergencies
I been saying we NEED Hart, J Will, Carlson. They are our big players that do big things in games.
Daigneault is an outstanding coach. I was concerned his more laid-back style concerning the refs might hurt his relationship with his players, but it is becoming obvious that the team trusts him completely. His only shortcoming is the calendar. Each year, he has had to navigate an entirely different team dynamic, and this year is no different..
From building the team to taking the crown, and every level in between, he has succeeded. Now he is attempting to help this young team repeat. Complacency is an ugly word, but it is always an issue when trying to repeat to some degree or another. It's just human nature. Once you've reached the top, you lose something: the edge. Add the bullseye that comes from being the champ, and then smother it with youth and money, and you've got a problem.
When the subject came up during the off-season, I didn't push back that hard, but without that edge, this team won't repeat. Can Daigneault reignite that fire to win it all again? We'll see, but I promise that Sam Presti is right there. The storyline about the trade deadline is going to get really active if this funk continues.
0:04 – perfect intro cuz you not lying about “Dragging”🤦🏾♂️
5:45 – B.C. Is a Perfect Role Guy to come in and jacked 3’s in situational minutes, cuz if he gets hot👀OMG!
13:15 – FACTS!!💯
33:18 – BIG FACTS!!!💯 but I have hope 🤞🏾
38:13 – YES, I’ve been saying that about Lou this year👀
39:09😂
🦬🌩️🥶🔶🏆🔶🥶🌩️🦬
⚡️⚡️THUNDER🆙⚡️⚡️
Can we please trade Lu Dort, its embarrassing how much he's fallen off offensively. We're at the point in the year where things need to be solved NOW or there is no repeating.
A dogfight is right! Two things: OKC is vulnerable & the league KNOWS this. If the Hornets & now Jazz can strike terror (what’s next the PELS, Wizards?)? 2. SGA did what he’s supposed to do offensively although Dub & Chet MUST do the same. And what’s up w/ Chet missing critical FTs down the stretch?
A win is a win. Check out the teams that some of those 12 Utah wins have come against. They’ve beaten good teams. That said, this is a play-in team at best without Shai.
Barely won! Getting out rebounded,and played by more stronger physical faster athletic players , S G A needs to hit the gym he seems fatigued, lethargic, huffing and puffing each possession he can not handle the more muscular guards that overpower him, same applies to Chet the opposition are much bigger which hinders his ability to defend, . SAm needs to start vetting, scouting as the draft nears this team has outgrown their tenure! And dagnel keeps changing the lineups every few minutes which breaks the momentum and chemistry
We need to trade for a scoring wing at the deadline cause Jdub took a a step backwards offensively
Jan 13……
Where was Joe, last night and the Hornets?
42:38 my guy had to sneak that in there lol