The Oklahoma City Thunder have a knack for beating the odds. They fortified their reputation on Friday, as they mounted a highly improbable comeback against the Chicago Bulls in the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
ESPN Stats & Info has the numbers to prove it:
The Bulls were up to a 99.1% chance to win up 10 with 1:56 left in regulation before they lost to the Thunder in OT
Teams were 1-2,930 when trailing by 10+ points in the final 2 min of regulation over the last 5 seasons. The only other win was by the Kings on January 27, 2020. pic.twitter.com/vK84WPUjKF
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 16, 2021
The Thunder literally had less than a 1% shot at coming back from 10 points down in the final two minutes of play against Chicago, but since they are the Oklahoma City Thunder, they did exactly that.
This impressive victory was thanks in large part to another tremendous effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who netted a career-best 33 points in the win, including a savvy and-1 basket to force overtime. SGA shot 13-of-19 from the field, three-of-five from distance, and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe, to go along with five boards, ten assists, a steal, and just one turnover in 44 minutes of play.
Last season, the Thunder were given an extremely slim chance of making the playoffs. They proved all their doubters wrong throughout the season, as they ended up securing a postseason spot in a ruthless Western Conference.
OKC will be looking to go on a similar run this season, with the pundits predicting a mediocre campaign for them. It is worth noting, though, that this Thunder side is no longer the same team from last year. They parted ways with Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, Steven Adams, and Danilo Gallinari during the offseason, and are virtually a revamped squad for 2020-21. Then again, if we've learned anything in the past, it would be foolish to count out the Thunder this early.
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