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Tim McMahon
Las Vegas–If there’s a record or trophy inside oklahoma city thunderaccess to, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wants it.
This includes a possible pursuit of the NBA’s record of 73 wins by 2015–16. Golden State Warriors,
“Absolutely,” Gilgeous-Alexander said at Friday’s NBA Cup media availability when asked if that record meant anything to him and his teammates. “Winning matters. And it doesn’t matter what it looks like to me. Absolutely.”
The Warriors’ record has recently become a topic of discussion around the Thunder because the defending champions are off to such a historic start. Oklahoma City is 24-1 entering Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals San Antonio SpursThe team posted its best record ever at 25 games, tying the 2015–16 Golden State team.
moves forward Harrison BarnesA starter for the record-setting Warriors said the Thunder are “probably on track” to break that record. However, he said that would follow the previous record of 72 wins set in 1995–96. Chicago Bulls It took a toll on the Warriors, who lost in the NBA Finals. cleveland cavaliers,
“It’s tiring. It’s tiring,” Barnes told ESPN. “Obviously, you deal with all kinds of storylines that come up in the season and things like that. But everything is different. It was a lot.”
Gilgeous-Alexander has made it clear that championships will always be his priority over chasing records. Several members of the Thunder, including Gilgeous-Alexander, have stressed the importance of preventing potential distractions such as focusing too much on future prospects.
“We’re trying to be a better version of ourselves every night we go out there, and we like to hunt that way,” Gilgeous-Alexander. “If we don’t get better tonight, we wasted an opportunity. That’s how we look at it.”
The Thunder have won 16 consecutive games, nearly reaching the halfway mark in Oklahoma City in 1971–72. Los Angeles Lakers’33-game winning streak.
Gilgeous-Alexander was not aware it was an NBA record for wins until he was informed about it during Friday’s media session.
“Wow, there are still a lot of games to win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Yeah, we’re a long way from that. I didn’t even know that, so it didn’t even come close to crossing my mind. But hopefully we’ll get there. That’s the goal.”
The NBA Cup Semifinals count toward regular season standings and win streaks – but not the championship game.
lost to thunder milwaukee bucks Last year’s Cup Final, the only trophy that eluded Oklahoma City last season. But the Thunder say last year’s experience in Las Vegas no longer adds any extra incentive.
“Anytime you get a chance to play for something and win, the goal is always to win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s always the same feeling. So to win would be phenomenal, that’s for sure.”
added further jalen williams: “If we’re going to apply ourselves to anything, let’s do it to the best of our ability and try to win. It’s just our nature. That’s how we play basketball.”
The Thunder will have their preferred starting lineup for the first time all season in the Cup Semifinals. Center Isaiah Hartenstein He has been cleared to play after missing the last six matches due to a calf strain.
