With the 2018-19 regular season officially wrapped up, the Thunder have had quite a year to this point.
As is the case with every team, the Thunder experienced plenty of highs and lows. Russell Westbrook broke quite a few records, Paul George had his best season to date and the team appears to be playing well again, at the right time.
Now that there are a few more days before the playoffs begin, we decided to take a look at 20 of the best moments from the 2018-19 NBA season (in no particular order):
Paul George hits first career game-winner
Back on Nov. 5, George drained the first go-ahead shot of his career in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime to lead the Thunder to a 114-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
He was 0-of-14 previously on those shots.
George also outscored the Nets by himself in the fourth quarter that night, with 25 of his total 47 points coming in the period. His 47 points were one shy of tying a career high.
Next: Russell Westbrook has 20-20-20 Vision
Russell Westbrook has 20-20-20 vision
Of course, Westbrook just accomplished this feat last week.
Westbrook recorded only the second 20-20-20 game in NBA history against the Los Angeles Lakers. After the remarkable feat, Westbrook dedicated the performance to a fallen friend, and rapper, Nipsey Hussle.
While the performance was certainly remarkable for Westbrook, it is evident listening to Westbrook speak about Hussle that the game carried quite a bit of significance for him and he was happy to honor his friend.
Next: The aftermath of the situation in Utah
The aftermath of the situation in Utah
While the moment between Russell Westbrook and a fan in Utah was hardly a positive one, the incident has sparked a conversation that will help the league tackle racism and hate speech directed toward players.
On March 11, Westbrook said a fan and his wife each yelled at him to “get back on his knees” while he was near the team bench area during the game. Westbrook called the comments “disrespectful” and “racial.”
The fan denied saying that to Westbrook and said he told Westbrook to sit down and ice his knees, referring to the ice packs he was wearing on his knees.
The following day after the incident, the Jazz announced a permanent ban of the fan who engaged in the inappropriate interaction with Westbrook. The ban also included all events at the arena.
In the days since the incident, NBA arenas have taken increased action to ensure the safety of visiting players and for the hometown players as well.
Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell vowed to put an end to racism and hate speech toward players. On Monday, Jazz guard Kyle Korver released a powerful message through The Players’ Tribune to put an end to racism.
As a white male, Korver acknowledged the hateful words that are often directed at his minority teammates and called upon himself, and other white players, to become “part of the solution” against racism.
“I know that, as a white man, I have to hold my fellow white men accountable,” Korver wrote. “We all have to hold each other accountable.”
The incident with Westbrook was certainly not ideal in any way. But it has sparked a positive conversation and shed some light on the offensive language players often hear.
It often takes some uncomfortable situations to spark drastic change and the league is certainly hoping this can be the first step to ensuring that happens.
Next: P.G. posterizes the Greek Freak
P.G. posterizes the Greek Freak
With just over a minute to go on Jan. 27, Paul George received the ball from Jerami Grant and drove toward the basket where he was met by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
George won that battle by a wide margin.
The dunk was so memorable that Antetokounmpo even talked about it when he drafted George to his All-Star team in February.
Next: Westbrook sets consecutive triple-double records
Westbrook sets record for consecutive triple-doubles
On Feb. 11, Westbrook became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double in 10 straight games. He completed the feat against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Paul George joined Westbrook in the triple-double fun, too. George recorded just his third career triple-double in the game to become the first pair of Thunder teammates to have a triple-double in the same game.
Westbrook eventually extended his triple-double streak to 11 games.
Next: Westbrook clinches third straight triple-double average
Westbrook clinches third straight triple-double average
After dishing out his third assist against the Detroit Pistons last week, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard officially claimed a third consecutive season averaging a triple-double.
Westbrook recorded the assist to Jerami Grant with 10:27 to go in the first quarter to lock in another triple-double average. Once the basket went in by Grant, Westbrook received some cheers from the crowd.
Westbrook drew praise from many around the NBA for accomplishing the feat, including from LeBron James:
Next: George’s game-winning four-point play
George’s game-winning four-point play
As the Thunder were down two points to the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 19, with 6.9 seconds left, George came off a screen set by Steven Adams and hoisted up a three-pointer that dropped through the net as he was fouled by Jimmy Butler on the attempt.
The shot saved the Thunder from throwing away the game after leading for much of the contest.
That win kick-started a season-high seven-game winning streak to help the team climb up the standings a bit. The shot by George was his second game-winner of the season.
His third game-winner is next …
George’s third game-winner of the season
As the Thunder trailed by one point to the Utah Jazz with 10.2 seconds remaining, George corralled the rebound and dribbled the ball up the court.
He made a few moves, slipped by Joe Ingles and Ricky Rubio and put up a floater over the outstretched arms of Rudy Gobert — to sink the eventual game-winner with just 1.6 seconds left.
The win helped give the Thunder a 4-0 sweep over the Jazz this season.
Next: Thunder vs. Spurs — Double-OT instant classic
Thunder vs. Spurs — Double-OT instant classic
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Thunder 154-147 in double overtime on Jan. 10, as LaMarcus Aldridge went off for a career-high 56 points in the win.
The Thunder trailed by as many as 16 points, but forced overtime. Eventually, they fell short in double-overtime. Although the Thunder lost, it still proved to be one of the most exciting games of the season.
Next: Westbrook becomes the Thunder’s all-time leading scorer
Westbrook becomes the Thunder’s all-time leading scorer
Russell Westbrook passed Gary Payton on Feb. 14 for sole possession of first place on the Thunder/SuperSonics all-time points list when he recorded his fifth point of the game at the 5:10 mark of the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Payton was previously the all-time leader, with 18,207 career points as Westbrook entered that game with 18,203 career points, needing just four points to tie Payton and five to set the new record.
While the Thunder lost that matchup, Westbrook is now all alone at the top of the scoring list.
Next: Retiring Mr. Thunder’s No. 4
Retiring Mr. Thunder’s No. 4
The Thunder lifted the longtime number of Nick Collison into the rafters of Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday in a special ceremony prior to hosting the Toronto Raptors.
Nick Collison gave an emotional speech in which he thanked his family members, Thunder owner Clay Bennett, general manager Sam Presti, Russell Westbrook and several others.
Next: Thunder showing out for Diallo at All-Star Weekend
Thunder showing out for Diallo at All-Star Weekend
As Hamidou Diallo took home the hardware at the Slam Dunk Contest, he was joined courtside by several of his teammates, including Westbrook, George and Raymond Felton.
Afterward, Diallo said the team showed out “as one.”
That’s what it’s all about. Coming out here, we all came out here as one, as Thunder Nation. We wanted to bring home, of course, first this NBA Slam Dunk, and now tomorrow hopefully one of those guys take care of business on that side and bring something else home, too, so we can bring a lot of trophies back to Oklahoma.
Westbrook also assisted Diallo on his first dunk.
Next: MVP chants for P.G. in Orlando
MVP chants for P.G. in Orlando
In the first quarter of the game against the Magic on Jan. 29, George stepped to the line for free throws and was greeted with loud chants of “MVP” from those in attendance at Amway Center.
George finished with a game-high 37 points in the win.
Next: Nader throws it down over Harrell
Nader throws it down over Harrell
Abdel Nader only had six points in the 118-110 loss on March 8, but none were bigger than the dunk he slammed over Harrell. For a player that had sporadic minutes, this will certainly make the highlight reel.
Next: P.G. sets Thunder record for made three-pointers in a game
P.G. sets Thunder record for made three-pointers in a game
Perhaps the high point of the season for the Thunder, Paul George finished with 43 points as he dropped in a Thunder record 10 made three-pointers in the victory over the Miami Heat on Feb. 1.
The win was the team’s seventh in a row, the longest win streak of the season.
Next: Westbrook’s spinning, no-look pass to Steven Adams
Westbrook’s spinning, no-look pass to Steven Adams
On the same night in which Westbrook clinched a third consecutive season averaging a triple-double, Westbrook dished out a gem with a few minutes left against the Pistons.
Westbrook pushed the ball down the floor as he drove into the lane. With a defender on him, Westbrook spun to his right and then dropped in the no-look pass to a wide-open Adams.
The play immediately went viral on Twitter with some even anointing the pass the best that Westbrook has ever had. After review, it is certainly up there.
Next: Daddy Day Care with Russ
Daddy Day Care with Russ
Westbrook hit the court for his typical pregame warmup session on Jan. 17 but was joined by a new workout partner: his son, Noah.
The moment hit everyone right in the feels and it is still arguably one of the best video clips we have seen all season long.
Next: Steven Adams’ hilarious Budweiser commercial
Steven Adams’ hilarious Budweiser commercial
Adams was one of three players to appear in a Christmas Day commercial for Budweiser that encouraged safe drinking during the holiday season.
And, the bloopers may have been better than the commercial itself.
Next: The ‘Stache Bros reunion
The ‘Stache Bros reunion
Way back in November, the Thunder saw their first look of the season against Enes Kanter and the New York Knicks.
Adams and Kanter had some fun with each other during the game as Adams even posterized his former teammate.
With the two teams meeting up in the playoffs starting Sunday, the two players may not be as friendly with each other given what will be at stake. But it was certainly fun to see these two earlier the season.
And finally: George’s fourth game-winning shot
George’s fourth game-winning shot
George knocked down a three-pointer from the corner on a pass from Westbrook to give the Thunder a one-point lead with just 1.8 seconds left. A last-second shot by James Harden on the other end of the floor fell short, sealing the 112-111 win on Tuesday.
As we previously mentioned, George entered the season 0-of-14 in his career on potential go-ahead shots. He has now hit game-winners this season against the Nets, 76ers, Jazz and, now, the Rockets.
His four game-winners were the most in the NBA this season.
*****
While there are at least four more games left for the Thunder this season, the best could very well still be ahead of the team as they prepare for the postseason.
As it stands now, though, these were 20 of the best moments from the regular season that we could think of.
