2021–22 Oklahoma City Thunder season

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2021–22 Oklahoma City Thunder season
Head coachMark Daigneault
General managerSam Presti
OwnersProfessional Basketball Club LLC
Clay Bennett (Chairman)
ArenaPaycom Center
Results
Record24–58 (.293)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Northwest)
Conference: 14th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports Oklahoma
RadioKWPN and WWLS-FM
< 2020–21 2022–23 >

The 2021–22 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 14th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 56th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Thunder were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive season. It was the first time the team suffered consecutive losing seasons since 20062009 where they went on a four–year stretch.

Previous season[edit]

The Thunder finished the 2020–21 season 22–50 to finish in fourth place in the Northwest Division, fourteenth in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014-15.

Previous three seasons
Season Record Seeding
2018–19 49–33 6th
2019–20 44–28 5th
2020–21 22–50 14th

In their first year of the rebuild, the Thunder started the season returning only six players from the 2019-20 season. The Thunder also mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Billy Donovan after five seasons. To replace Donovan, the Thunder promoted assistant coach Mark Daigneault who previously served as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue.[1]

Replacing Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams in the starting lineup, the Thunder started veterans George Hill, Al Horford and promoted second-year forward Darius Bazley. After failing to trade Horford at the deadline, the Thunder announced Horford will remain inactive for the rest of the season to prioritize the team's younger talent.[2] After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's season-ending injury and Al Horford being shut down, the Thunder finished April and May with a 2-23 record including a 152-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers which was the largest home loss in league history.[3]

Offseason[edit]

Draft picks[edit]

Josh Giddey was selected 6th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
1 6 Josh Giddey PG  Australia Adelaide 36ers
1 16 Alperen Şengün C  Turkey Beşiktaş
1 18 Tre Mann PG  United States Florida
2 34 Rokas Jokubaitis PG  Lithuania FC Barcelona
2 36 Miles McBride PG  United States West Virginia
2 55 Aaron Wiggins SG  United States Maryland
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was later traded to the Thunder via New York Knicks

The Thunder had three first round-picks and three second-round picks entering the draft.[4] The Thunder owned one first-round pick entering the 2021 NBA draft lottery. The Thunder ended the night with the sixth overall pick after having a 34.1% chance to be in the top three. The Thunder other's first rounders were acquired from the Al Horford trade and the Paul George trade.[5][6] The Thunder also acquired two other second-round picks from the Kelly Oubre Jr. trade.[7]

On draft night, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Alperen Şengün, the 16th pick, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2022 protected first-round pick via DET and a 2023 protected first-round pick via WAS.[8] The Thunder traded the draft rights to Rokas Jokubaitis, the 34th pick, and the draft rights to Miles McBride, the 36th pick to the New York Knicks in exchange for the draft rights to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, the 32nd pick.[9]

The Thunder ended 2021 NBA draft night with Australia's NBL guard Josh Giddey, Florida guard Tre Mann, Villanova center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Maryland guard Aaron Wiggins.[10]

Derrick Favors was traded to the Thunder.

Trades[edit]

On June 18, the Thunder traded Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kemba Walker, a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick.[11] On August 6, the Thunder negotiated a contract buyout and waived Walker. In return, Walker gave up $20 million in total in his buyout. Walker gave up $9.7 million in his 2021-22 salary and $10.2 million in his 2022-23 salary.[12][13]

On July 30, the Thunder traded a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Derrick Favors and a future first-round pick.[14]

Free agency[edit]

For this offseason, free agency began on August 2, 2021. Tony Bradley, Svi Mykhailiuk and Mike Muscala were set to hit unrestricted free agency while Josh Hall was set to hit restricted free agency. On August 2, it was reported that Mike Muscala agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal to stay with the Thunder, which he later signed on August 11.[15][16] On August 18, Josh Hall accepted his two-way qualifying offer to re-sign with the Thunder.[17] However, on September 12, the Thunder waived Hall.[18] On August 19, Tony Bradley signed a deal with the Chicago Bulls.[19] On September 11, Svi Mykhailiuk signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors.[20] On August 2, it was reported that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a five-year, $172 million rookie extension with the Thunder, which he later signed on August 6.[21][22]

On September 3, Vít Krejčí signed a rookie deal with the Thunder. Krejčí was originally selected 37th overall in the 2020 NBA draft but did not sign a contract in the 2020-21 season, instead spent the season rehabbing with the Oklahoma City Blue after tearing his ACL.[23] On September 15, Paul Watson Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Thunder. Watson Jr. spent the 2020-21 season with the Toronto Raptors.[24]

On September 26, Charlie Brown Jr. was waived by the Thunder.[25]

Front office and coaching changes[edit]

On August 10, the Thunder announced Nick Collison as a special assistant to Sam Presti. Prior to taking this position, Collison served as a basketball operations representative for the Thunder. Collison joins Eric Maynor, Nazr Mohammed, Mike Milks and Anthony Morrow as former Thunder players contributing to the Thunder organization.[26]

Roster[edit]

2021–22 Oklahoma City Thunder roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 7 Bazley, Darius Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 2000-06-12 Princeton HS (OH)
G 5 Dort, Luguentz Injured 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-04-19 Arizona State
F 15 Favors, Derrick Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1991-07-15 Georgia Tech
G/F 6 Frazier Jr., Melvin (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1996-08-30 Tulane
G 3 Giddey, Josh Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-10-10 Australia
G 2 Gilgeous-Alexander, Shai Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-07-12 Kentucky
G/F 16 Jerome, Ty Injured 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-07-08 Virginia
G 27 Krejčí, Vít 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-06-19 Czech Republic
G 11 Maledon, Théo 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-12 France
G 23 Mann, Tre Injured 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-02-03 Florida
F/C 33 Muscala, Mike Injured 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1991-07-01 Bucknell
F 17 Pokuševski, Aleksej 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-12-26 Serbia
F 50 Robinson-Earl, Jeremiah 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 2000-11-03 Villanova
F 22 Roby, Isaiah 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1998-02-03 Nebraska
G 12 Waters, Lindy (TW) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1997-07-28 Oklahoma State
G 21 Wiggins, Aaron 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-01-02 Maryland
G/F 34 Williams, Kenrich Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1994-12-02 TCU
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 11, 2022

Staff[edit]

Oklahoma City Thunder staff
Front Office
  • Chairman – Clay Bennett
  • Executive Vice President & General Manager – Sam Presti
  • Vice President of Basketball Operations – Rob Hennigan
  • Vice President of Basketball Operations – Will Dawkins
Basketball Operations
  • Chief of Staff – Glenn Wong
  • Vice President of Human & Player Performance – Donnie Strack
  • Vice President of Logistics & Engagement – Marc St. Yves
  • Vice President of Basketball Communications & Engagement – Matt Tumbleson
  • Vice President / Team Counsel & Strategic Alignment – Amanda Green
  • Vice President of Strategy & Analysis – Jesse Gould
  • Vice President of Strategy & Design – Wynn Sullivan
  • Pro Evaluation Scout – Nazr Mohammed
 
Coaches
  • Head coach – Mark Daigneault
  • Assistant coach – David Akinyooye
  • Assistant coach – Dave Bliss
  • Assistant coach – Mike Wilks
  • Assistant coach – Kameron Woods
  • Assistant coach for Player Development – Zach Peterson
  • Assistant coach for Player Development – Eric Maynor
  • Assistant coach for Program Development – Connor Johnson
Broadcasters
  • Play-by-Play – Chris Fisher
  • Television Analyst – Michael Cage
  • Broadcast Reporter – Nick Gallo
  • Broadcast Reporter – Paris Lawson
  • Radio Broadcaster – Matt Pinto
  • Spanish Radio Broadcaster – Eleno Ornelas

Coaching staff
Management
Ownership
Broadcasters

Standings[edit]

Division[edit]

Northwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yUtah Jazz4933.59829‍–‍1220‍–‍2115–182
xDenver Nuggets4834.5851.023‍–‍1825‍–‍166–1082
xMinnesota Timberwolves4636.5613.026‍–‍1520‍–‍2112–482
Portland Trail Blazers2755.32922.017‍–‍2410‍–‍311–1582
Oklahoma City Thunder2458.29325.012‍–‍2912‍–‍296–1082

Conference[edit]

Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1zPhoenix Suns *6418.78082
2yMemphis Grizzlies *5626.6838.082
3xGolden State Warriors5329.64611.082
4xDallas Mavericks5230.63412.082
5yUtah Jazz *4933.59815.082
6xDenver Nuggets4834.58516.082
7xMinnesota Timberwolves4636.56118.082
8piLos Angeles Clippers4240.51222.082
9xNew Orleans Pelicans3646.43928.082
10piSan Antonio Spurs3448.41530.082
11Los Angeles Lakers3349.40231.082
12Sacramento Kings3052.36634.082
13Portland Trail Blazers2755.32937.082
14Oklahoma City Thunder2458.29340.082
15Houston Rockets2062.24444.082

Game log[edit]

Preseason[edit]

2021 preseason game log
Total: 1–3 (Home: 1–2; Road: 0–1)
Preseason: 1–3 (home: 1–2; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 4 Charlotte L 93–117 Josh Giddey (18) Josh Giddey (7) Gilgeous-Alexander & Maledon (4) Paycom Center
0–1
2 October 10 @ Milwaukee L 110–130 Luguentz Dort (19) D. J. Wilson (7) Giddey, Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Fiserv Forum
12,442
0–2
3 October 13 Denver W 108–99 Darius Bazley (16) Darius Bazley (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4) Paycom Center
1–2
4 October 14 Denver L 107–113 Aleksej Pokusevski (22) Gabriel Deck (11) Josh Giddey (8) BOK Center
1–3
2021–22 season schedule

Regular season[edit]

2021–22 game log
Total: 24–58 (Home: 12–29; Road: 12–29)
October: 1–5 (home: 1–2; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 20 @ Utah L 86–107 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18) Josh Giddey (10) Giddey, Pokusevski, Maledon (3) Vivint Arena
18,306
0–1
2 October 22 @ Houston L 91–124 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13) Aleksej Pokusevski (7) Dort, Giddey (4) Toyota Center
15,674
0–2
3 October 24 Philadelphia L 103–115 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Josh Giddey (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Paycom Center
14,256
0–3
4 October 26 Golden State L 98–106 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30) Josh Giddey (9) Giddey, Gilgeous-Alexander (4) Paycom Center
15,717
0–4
5 October 27 LA Lakers W 123–115 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Josh Giddey (10) Paycom Center
15,783
1–4
6 October 30 @ Golden State L 82–103 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15) Darius Bazley (8) Josh Giddey (6) Chase Center
18,063
1–5
November: 5–9 (home: 3–4; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
7 November 1 @ LA Clippers L 95–99 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28) Maledon, Muscala, Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Josh Giddey (7) Staples Center
13,722
1–6
8 November 4 @ LA Lakers W 107–104 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28) Derrick Favors (11) Josh Giddey (8) Staples Center
18,997
2–6
9 November 7 San Antonio W 99–94 Mike Muscala (20) Darius Bazley (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Paycom Center
12,972
3–6
10 November 10 @ New Orleans W 108–100 Luguentz Dort (27) Josh Giddey (12) Josh Giddey (9) Smoothie King Center
15,355
4–6
11 November 12 Sacramento W 105–103 Dort, Gilgeous-Alexander (22) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (14) Josh Giddey (5) Paycom Center
12,881
5–6
12 November 14 Brooklyn L 96–120 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (8) Giddey, Wiggins (4) Paycom Center
15,080
5–7
13 November 15 Miami L 90–103 Luguentz Dort (20) Darius Bazley (7) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Paycom Center
12,330
5–8
14 November 17 Houston W 101–89 Luguentz Dort (34) Josh Giddey (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Paycom Center
12,066
6–8
15 November 19 @ Milwaukee L 89–96 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17) Josh Giddey (12) Giddey, Williams (4) Fiserv Forum
17,341
6–9
16 November 20 @ Boston L 105–111 Luguentz Dort (16) Darius Bazley (10) Darius Bazley (6) TD Garden
19,156
6–10
17 November 22 @ Atlanta L 101–113 Dort, Giddey, Jerome (15) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (10) Josh Giddey (8) State Farm Arena
15,806
6–11
18 November 24 Utah L 104–110 Luguentz Dort (27) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (10) Josh Giddey (8) Paycom Center
17,341
6–12
19 November 26 Washington L 99–101 Luguentz Dort (21) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Paycom Center
14,579
6–13
20 November 29 @ Houston L 89–102 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) Mann, Robinson-Earl (7) Josh Giddey (7) Toyota Center
12,829
6–14
December: 7–8 (home: 4–4; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
21 December 1 Houston L 110–114 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (39) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (9) Dort, Robinson-Earl (4) Paycom Center
13,222
6–15
22 December 2 @ Memphis L 79–152 [a] Luguentz Dort (15) Muscala, Robinson-Earl (5) Ty Jerome (4) FedExForum
13,103
6–16
23 December 6 @ Detroit W 114–103 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30) Bazley, Robinson-Earl (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13) Little Caesars Arena
10,522
7–16
24 December 8 @ Toronto W 110–109 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26) Derrick Favors (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Scotiabank Arena
19,800
8–16
25 December 10 LA Lakers L 95–116 Tre Mann (19) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (9) Josh Giddey (7) Paycom Center
16,523
8–17
26 December 12 Dallas L 84–103 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18) Aleksej Pokusevski (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Paycom Center
15,747
8–18
27 December 15 New Orleans L 110–113 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Josh Giddey (9) Josh Giddey (7) Paycom Center
13,253
8–19
28 December 18 LA Clippers W 104–103 Luguentz Dort (29) Josh Giddey (10) Josh Giddey (18) Paycom Center
15,123
9–19
29 December 20 @ Memphis W 102–99 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Josh Giddey (11) FedEx Forum
15,721
10–19
30 December 22 Denver W 108–94 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27) Bazley, Gilgeous-Alexander (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (12) Paycom Center
14,932
11–19
31 December 23 @ Phoenix L 101–113 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Darius Bazley (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Footprint Center
17,071
11–20
32 December 26 New Orleans W 117–112 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Josh Giddey (10) Josh Giddey (10) Paycom Center
15,608
12–20
33 December 28 @ Sacramento L 111–117 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Dort, Williams (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Golden 1 Center
14,750
12–21
34 December 29 @ Phoenix L 97–115 Ty Jerome (24) Jerome, Wiggins (8) Ty Jerome (5) Footprint Center
17,071
12–22
35 December 31 New York W 95–80 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23) Isaiah Roby (9) Ty Jerome (5) Paycom Center
16,451
13–22
January: 2–12 (home: 1–5; road: 1–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
36 January 2 Dallas L 86–95 Josh Giddey (17) Josh Giddey (13) Josh Giddey (14) Paycom Center
14,571
13–23
37 January 5 @ Minnesota L 90–98 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Target Center
14,375
13–24
38 January 7 Minnesota L 105–135 Luguentz Dort (18) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Paycom Center
14,874
13–25
39 January 9 Denver L 95–99 Luguentz Dort (14) Josh Giddey (7) Josh Giddey (8) Paycom Center
14,772
13–26
40 January 11 @ Washington L 118–122 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) Darius Bazley (9) Giddey, Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Capital One Arena
13,985
13–27
41 January 13 @ Brooklyn W 130–109 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Barclays Center
16,964
14–27
42 January 15 Cleveland L 102–107 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Paycom Center
15,284
14–28
43 January 17 @ Dallas L 102–104 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34) Luguentz Dort (7) Dort, Giddey (7) American Airlines Center
19,266
14–29
44 January 19 @ San Antonio L 96–118 Aaron Wiggins (19) Josh Giddey (11) Josh Giddey (8) AT&T Center
11,848
14–30
45 January 21 @ Charlotte L 98–121 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Paycom Center
15,835
14–31
46 January 22 @ Cleveland L 87–94 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
19,432
14–32
47 January 24 Chicago L 110–111 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Bazley, Giddey (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) Paycom Center
14,378
14–33
48 January 28 Indiana L 110–113 (OT) Luguentz Dort (27) Josh Giddey (10) Josh Giddey (5) Paycom Center
15,106
14–34
49 January 31 Portland W 98–81 Luguentz Dort (18) Josh Giddey (12) Ty Jerome (6) Paycom Center
13,812
15–34
February : 4–7 (home: 0–4; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
50 February 2 @ Dallas W 120–114 (OT) Luguentz Dort (30) Darius Bazley (11) Josh Giddey (10) American Airlines Center
19,200
16–34
51 February 4 @ Portland W 96–93 Luguentz Dort (23) Darius Bazley (12) Ty Jerome (8) Moda Center
15,329
17–34
52 February 5 @ Sacramento L 103–113 Josh Giddey (24) Aleksej Pokusevski (9) Josh Giddey (8) Golden 1 Center
14,097
17–35
53 February 7 Golden State L 98–110 Luguentz Dort (26) Josh Giddey (11) Josh Giddey (7) Paycom Center
17,009
17–36
54 February 9 Toronto L 98–117 Pokusevski, Maledon (18) Kenrich Williams (12) Giddey, Williams (6) Paycom Center
13,858
17–37
55 February 11 @ Philadelphia L 87–100 Derrick Favors (16) Darius Bazley (15) Giddey, Jerome (5) Wells Fargo Center
20,669
17–38
56 February 12 @ Chicago L 101–106 Luguentz Dort (31) Josh Giddey (12) Josh Giddey (10) United Center
20,072
17–39
57 February 14 @ New York W 127–123 Tre Mann (30) Josh Giddey (11) Josh Giddey (12) Madison Square Garden
18,433
18–39
58 February 16 San Antonio L 106–114 Tre Mann (24) Isaiah Roby (12) Josh Giddey (10) Paycom Center
14,920
18–40
All-Star Break
59 February 24 Phoenix L 104–124 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) Josh Giddey (9) Giddey, Mann (6) Paycom Center
14,176
18–41
60 February 25 @ Indiana W 129–125 (OT) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (36) Isaiah Roby (11) Gilgeous-Alexander, Mann (5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
15,182
19–41
61 February 28 Sacramento L 110–131 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (37) Aleksej Pokusevski (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) Paycom Center
13,945
19–42
March : 3–12 (home: 1–7; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
62 March 2 @ Denver W 119–107 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Aleksej Pokusevski (11) Gilgeous-Alexander, Roby (5) Ball Arena
15,167
20–42
63 March 4 Minnesota L 101–138 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Isaiah Roby (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Paycom Center
15,180
20–43
64 March 6 Utah L 103–116 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Aleksej Pokusevski (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Paycom Center
15,079
20–44
65 March 8 Milwaukee L 115–142 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (14) Paycom Center
15,743
20–45
66 March 9 @ Minnesota L 102–132 Aaron Wiggins (25) Aaron Wiggins (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Target Center
16,191
20–46
67 March 13 Memphis L 118–125 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Darius Bazley (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Paycom Center
17,482
20–47
68 March 14 Charlotte W 134–116 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Tre Mann (6) Paycom Center
15,810
20–48
69 March 16 @ San Antonio L 120–122 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34) Darius Bazley (9) Gilgeous-Alexander, Maledon (9) AT&T Center
14,994
20–49
70 March 18 @ Miami L 108–120 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26) Aleksej Pokusevski (15) Aleksej Pokusevski (5) FTX Arena
19,600
20–50
71 March 20 @ Orlando L 85–90 Darius Bazley (18) Isaiah Roby (10) Aleksej Pokusevski (5) Amway Center
15,012
20–51
72 March 21 Boston L 123–132 Tre Mann (35) Darius Bazley (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Paycom Center
15,345
20–52
73 March 23 Orlando W 118–102 Theo Maledon (25) Vit Krejci (11) Theo Maledon (6) Paycom Center
14,393
21–52
74 March 26 @ Denver L 106–113 Theo Maledon (20) Isaiah Roby (7) Vit Krejci (6) Ball Arena
19,520
21–53
75 March 28 @ Portland W 134–131 (OT) Isaiah Roby (30) Theo Maledon (10) Aleksej Pokusevski (11) Moda Center
18,188
22–53
76 March 30 Atlanta L 118–136 Lindy Waters III (25) Roby, Sarr (9) Theo Maledon (8) Paycom Center
15,595
22–54
April : 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
77 April 1 Detroit L 101–110 Theo Maledon (28) Jaylen Hoard (20) Theo Maledon (6) Paycom Center
16,961
22–55
78 April 3 Phoenix W 117–96 Olivier Sarr (24) Aleksej Pokusevski (10) Aleksej Pokusevski (12) Paycom Center
17,078
23–55
79 April 5 Portland W 98–94 Jaylen Hoard (24) Jaylen Hoard (21) Zavier Simpson (5) Paycom Center
14,674
24–55
80 April 6 @ Utah L 101–137 Jaylen Hoard (23) Vit Krejčí (6) Zavier Simpson (11) Vivint Arena
18,306
24–56
81 April 8 @ LA Lakers L 101–120 Jaylen Hoard (27) Jaylen Hoard (17) Zavier Simpson (7) Staples Center
18,997
24–57
82 April 10 @ LA Clippers L 88–138 Simpson & Kalaitzakis (17) Jaylen Hoard (15) Zavier Simpson (8) Staples Center
18,210
24–58
2021–22 season schedule

Player statistics[edit]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season[edit]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Darius Bazley 69 53 27.9 42.2% 29.7% 68.8% 6.3 1.4 0.8 1.0 10.8
Gabriel Deck 7 0 8.0 57.1% 50.0% - 0.9 0.7 0.1 0.0 2.6
Mamadi Diakite 13 3 14.5 53.2% 0.0% 54.5% 4.5 0.2 0.4 0.7 4.3
Luguentz Dort 51 51 32.6 40.4% 33.2% 84.3% 4.2 1.7 0.9 0.4 17.2
Rob Edwards 2 0 5.5 25.0% 25.0% - 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5
Derrick Favors 39 18 16.7 51.6% 12.5% 64.0% 4.7 0.6 0.4 0.3 5.3
Melvin Frazier Jr. 3 0 40.0 27.1% 4.8% 71.4% 4.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 10.7
Josh Giddey 54 54 31.5 41.9% 26.3% 70.9% 7.8 6.4 0.9 0.4 12.5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 56 56 34.7 45.3% 30.0% 81.0% 5.0 5.9 1.3 0.8 24.5
Jaylen Hoard 7 5 34.3 48.9% 36.0% 42.9% 12.0 2.4 0.9 0.7 14.7
Scotty Hopson 1 0 18.0 50.0% 0.0% - 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 4.0
Ty Jerome 48 4 16.7 37.8% 29.0% 80.9% 1.6 2.3 0.6 0.1 7.1
Georgios Kalaitzakis 4 4 41.5 46.4% 36.4% 47.6% 3.3 3.0 2.5 0.3 17.5
Vít Krejčí 30 8 23.0 40.7% 32.7% 86.4% 3.4 1.9 0.6 0.3 6.2
Théo Maledon 51 7 17.8 37.5% 29.3% 79.0% 2.6 2.2 0.6 0.2 7.1
Tre Mann 60 26 22.8 39.3% 36.0% 79.3% 2.9 1.5 0.8 0.2 10.4
Mike Muscala 43 0 13.8 45.6% 42.9% 84.2% 3.0 0.5 0.4 0.6 8.0
Aleksej Pokuševski 61 12 20.2 40.8% 28.9% 70.0% 5.2 2.1 0.6 0.6 7.6
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl 49 36 22.2 41.4% 35.2% 74.1% 5.6 1.0 0.6 0.3 7.5
Isaiah Roby 45 28 21.1 51.4% 44.4% 67.2% 4.8 1.6 0.8 0.8 10.1
Olivier Sarr 22 2 19.1 57.4% 44.8% 82.8% 4.2 0.9 0.3 0.7 7.0
Zavier Simpson 4 4 43.5 36.5% 12.5% 100% 5.3 7.5 1.3 1.0 11.0
Lindy Waters III 25 1 18.6 40.6% 36.3% 80.0% 2.9 1.0 0.8 0.3 8.0
Paul Watson Jr. 9 3 17.3 34.4% 23.1% 50.0% 3.0 0.9 0.3 0.3 3.4
Aaron Wiggins 50 35 24.2 46.3% 30.4% 72.9% 3.6 1.4 0.6 0.2 8.3
Kenrich Williams 49 0 21.9 46.1% 33.9% 54.5% 4.5 2.2 0.9 0.2 7.4
  Led team in statistic

After all games.[28]
Waived during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Individual game highs[edit]

Awards and records[edit]

Awards[edit]

Date Player Award
December 2, 2021 Josh Giddey (1/4)[29] October/November Rookie of the Month
December 27, 2021 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1/1)[30] December 20–26 Player of the Week
January 4, 2022 Josh Giddey (2/4)[31] December Rookie of the Month
February 2, 2022 Josh Giddey (3/4)[32] January Rookie of the Month
March 3, 2022 Josh Giddey (4/4)[33] February Rookie of the Month
May 18, 2022 Josh Giddey[34] NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Records[edit]

  • On December 2, 2021, the Oklahoma City Thunder took a 73-point loss against the Memphis Grizzlies setting an NBA-record for the worst margin of loss in history.[35]
  • On December 27, 2021, Josh Giddey became the second player in NBA history to record a double-double while also going scoreless (Norm Van Lier).[36]
  • On January 2, 2022, Giddey became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists at 19 years and 84 days, surpassing the record set by LaMelo Ball last season.[37] Giddey also became the youngest player in NBA history to lead all players in points, rebounds, and assists in one game, becoming the second teenager to do so along with Luka Dončić.[38]
  • On February 14, 2022, Giddey became the 7th rookie in NBA history to record back-to-back triple-doubles following a triple-double in Chicago the prior day. Giddey also became the third rookie to record a triple-double in his Madison Square Garden debut.[39]
  • On February 16, 2022, Giddey, 19, joined Oscar Robertson as the only rookies in league history to record three consecutive triple-doubles.[40]
  • On March 21, 2022, Tre Mann set a Thunder rookie record with 35 points on 13-20 shooting, 7 threes. Mann scored 23 of his 35 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting in a single quarter marking the new Thunder rookie record for points in a quarter.[41]
  • On March 28, 2022, all five Thunder starters made two or more 3-pointers for the first time in OKC history.[42]
  • On April 1, 2022, Jaylen Hoard became the sixth Thunder player to record a 20-rebound game.[43]
  • On April 3, 2022, Aleksej Pokuševski became the 12th youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists at 20 years and 98 days old.[44]
  • On April 5, 2022, Hoard became the seventh player in OKC history to post a 20-point, 20-rebound game and the fifth to record multiple 20-rebound performances.[45]

Transactions[edit]

Overview[edit]

Players Added

Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

Players Lost

Via trade

Via free agency

Waived

Trades[edit]

June 18, 2021[46] To Oklahoma City Thunder
Kemba Walker
2021 first-round pick
2025 second-round pick
To Boston Celtics
Al Horford
Moses Brown
2023 second-round pick
July 30, 2021[47] To Oklahoma City Thunder
Draft rights to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
To New York Knicks
Draft rights to Rokas Jokubaitis
Draft rights to Miles McBride
July 30, 2021[47] To Oklahoma City Thunder
2022 DET protected first-round pick
2023 WAS protected first-round pick
To Houston Rockets
Draft rights to Alperen Şengün
July 30, 2021[48] To Oklahoma City Thunder
Derrick Favors
2024 protected first-round pick
To Utah Jazz
2027 second-round pick
Cash considerations
January 4, 2022[49] To Oklahoma City Thunder
Miye Oni
2028 second-round pick
To Utah Jazz
Cash considerations
February 9, 2022[50] To Oklahoma City Thunder
KZ Okpala
Amendments conditions on a previously traded first-round pick
To Miami Heat
2026 second-round pick

Free agency[edit]

Re-signed[edit]

Date Player Contract
August 6, 2021 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander[21] Multi-Year Extension
August 11, 2021 Mike Muscala[15] Multi-Year
August 18, 2021 Josh Hall[17] Two-Way
In-Season Re-Signings
February 12, 2022 Aaron Wiggins[51] Multi-Year[a]

^ a: Aaron Wiggins initially signed a two-way contract before it was converted into a multi-year contract.[51]

Additions[edit]

Date Player Contract Former team
September 3, 2021 Vít Krejčí[23] Standard Spain Basket Zaragoza
September 15, 2021 Paul Watson Jr.[24] Two-Way Toronto Raptors
In-Season Additions
December 27, 2021 Rob Edwards[52] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
December 27, 2021 Scotty Hopson[52] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
December 27, 2021 Olivier Sarr[52] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
December 29, 2021 Jaylen Hoard[53] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
January 9, 2022 Olivier Sarr[54] Second 10-Day Oklahoma City Thunder
January 11, 2022 Mamadi Diakite[55] Hardship Exception 10-Day Milwaukee Bucks
January 21, 2022 Mamadi Diakite[56] 10-Day Oklahoma City Thunder
January 31, 2022 Mamadi Diakite[57] Second 10-Day Oklahoma City Thunder
February 10, 2022 Lindy Waters III[58] Two-Way Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
February 21, 2022 Olivier Sarr[59] Two-Way Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
April 1, 2022 Jaylen Hoard[60] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
April 5, 2022 Georgios Kalaitzakis[61] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
April 5, 2022 Zavier Simpson[61] Hardship Exception 10-Day Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
April 6, 2022 Melvin Frazier Jr.[62] Two-Way Iowa Wolves (G League)

Subtractions[edit]

Date Player Reason left New team
August 6, 2021 Kemba Walker[63] Waived New York Knicks
August 19, 2021 Tony Bradley[19] Free Agent Chicago Bulls
September 1, 2021 Svi Mykhailiuk[20] Free Agent Toronto Raptors
September 12, 2021 Josh Hall[18] Waived Raptors 905 (G League)
September 26, 2021 Charlie Brown Jr.[64] Waived Delaware Blue Coats (G League)
In-Season Subtractions
January 4, 2022 Gabriel Deck[65] Waived Spain Real Madrid
January 7, 2022 Miye Oni[66] Waived United Kingdom London Lions
February 9, 2022 Mamadi Diakite[67] Waived Cleveland Cavaliers
February 10, 2022 Paul Watson Jr.[68] Waived Austin Spurs (G League)
February 11, 2022 KZ Okpala[69] Waived Sacramento Kings
April 6, 2022 Olivier Sarr[62] Waived Oklahoma City Blue (G League)

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Record for largest margin of victory in NBA history, by 73 points.[27]

References[edit]

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