The NBA Cup was designed to inject some drama and increase the stakes to the middle of the regular season. For reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Cup has also proven to be some effective playoff preparation for the young Thunder.
Last year’s Oklahoma City team didn’t lose often, going 68–14 in the regular season and 16–7 in the postseason en route to the first NBA championship since the franchise relocated from Seattle. A rare loss last year came to the Bucks in the NBA Cup final—a tough 97–81 defeat dominated by Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the difficult loss gave the Thunder some valuable experience, their leader said.
