2020–21 Oklahoma City Thunder season

The 2020–21 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 13th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 55th in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This is the first season since 2014–15 without head coach Billy Donovan, as he mutually agreed to part ways with the Thunder on September 8, 2020, and 14 days later, went on to become the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls.^[1] For the first time since 2012–13, long-time players Steven Adams and André Roberson were not on the roster, as Adams was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, and Roberson signed with the Brooklyn Nets.

2020–21 Oklahoma City Thunder season
Head coach	Mark Daigneault
General manager	Sam Presti
Owners	Professional Basketball Club LLC Clay Bennett (Chairman)
Arena	Chesapeake Energy Arena
Results
Record	22–50 (.306)
Place	Division: 5th (Northwest) Conference: 14th (Western)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio	KWPN and WWLS-FM
< 2019–20 2021–22 >

On November 11, the Thunder promoted assistant and former Oklahoma City Blue coach Mark Daigneault as their new head coach. At the age of 35, Daigneault was at the time the youngest active head coach in the NBA, after the Minnesota Timberwolves fired third-year head coach Ryan Saunders on February 21, 2021.^[2]

The 2020–21 season was the team's first time since 2014–15 missing the playoffs and their first losing season since 2008–09, the team's inaugural season in Oklahoma City. It was also the fourth time under Sam Presti's tenure that the team had missed the playoffs. Power forward Al Horford, who was acquired by the Thunder via trade on December 8, 2020, also missed the playoffs for the first time in his 14-year career.

Previous season

The Thunder finished the 2019–20 season 44–28 to finish in second place in the Northwest Division, fifth in the Western Conference and qualified for the playoffs.

After falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2019 NBA playoffs, the Thunder started a rebuilding process following the Paul George and Russell Westbrook trades. In the trades, the Thunder received veteran Chris Paul, promising rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and seven future first-rounders and four pick swaps. Entering the season, the Thunder were predicted to win 32 games with a 33–49 record projected by ESPN. However, Chris Paul led a resurgence season that featured an All-Star birth and led the Thunder to a 44–28 record.^[3]

Before a March 11 game against the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 prior to tip-off in Oklahoma City. Attendees were told by Chesapeake Energy Arena PA announcer Mario Nanni that the game was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances", and to safely depart the arena with a reassurance the crowd was "all safe".^[4] The league suspended and would not resume play until the 2020 NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 22.

In the bubble, the Thunder faced off against former Thunder Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets. During the series, undrafted rookie Luguentz Dort was lauded for his defense on James Harden. In game seven, Dort led the Thunder with a 30-point performance including six threes in a 104–102 loss.^[5]

Offseason

Draft Picks

Main article: 2020 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College/Club team
1	25	Immanuel Quickley	PG	United States	Kentucky
2	53	Cassius Winston	PG	United States	Michigan State
Aleksej Pokuševski, Vít Krejčí, and Théo Maledon were later traded to the Thunder

The Thunder had one first-round pick and one second-round pick entering the draft.^[6] The Thunder's own first-round pick was conveyed to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Jerami Grant trade back in 2016.^[7] The pick was top-20 protected and was conveyed when Mike Muscala hit a game winner against the Miami Heat in the 2019-20 season.^[8] The Thunder acquired a first-round pick from the Denver Nuggets in the Jerami Grant trade back in 2020.^[9]

On draft night, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Cassius Winston, the 53rd pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Admiral Schofield and the draft rights to Vít Krejčí, the 37th pick.^[10] The Thunder also acquired the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels, the 28th pick, and Danny Green in the Dennis Schroder.^[11]

Two days later, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Immanuel Quickley, the 25th pick, to the New York Knicks, and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels, the 28th pick, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade where the Thunder acquired the draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski, the 17th pick, James Johnson, and a 2024 second-round pick via MIN.^[12] On December 8, the Thunder acquired the draft rights to Théo Maledon, the 34th pick, draft rights to Vasilije Micić, Al Horford and a 2025 first-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers.^[13]

The Thunder, after the 2020 NBA draft night and the conclusion of player acquisitions and transactions, ended with Olympiacos forward Aleksej Pokuševski, ASVEL Villerbaunne guard Théo Maledon, and Casademont Zaragoza guard Vít Krejčí.^[14][15]

Trades

Chris Paul

Steven Adams

Danilo Gallinari

Dennis Schröder

The Thunder traded four veterans to start the rebuild.

The Thunder started this offseason to reposition and rebuild for the future after a surprising 2019-20 season that saw a playoff appearance following the trades of Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

On November 16, the Thunder traded All-Star Chris Paul and Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and a 2022 first-round pick.^[16] Paul had a resurgent season during the 2019-20 season, reclaiming his reputation as "Point God," taking the Thunder to a surprising playoff appearance in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. The Thunder began the season with a "0.2%" chance to make the playoffs prior to the start of the season. Paul was named an All-Star and was named to All-NBA Second Team for the first time since 2016. Sam Presti worked with Paul's representatives at CAA to allow Paul to his preferred destination.^[17]

We want to thank Chris for the contributions he has made to the Thunder and the Oklahoma City community both this season and during his initial tenure in 2005-06 with the Hornets. Chris has been the consummate leader and has left a tremendous legacy in a short period of time. We wish him and Abdel and their families only the best moving forward.^[18]

— Sam Presti

On draft night November 18, the Thunder traded Dennis Schröder to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Danny Green and the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels, the twenty-eighth pick. Schröder led the league in points scored off the bench and finished second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting.^[19] A day later on November 19, the Thunder traded a protected 2021 second-round pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Vincent Poirier in an effort to use his salary in a bigger trade.^[20][21] The same day, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Cassius Winston, the fifty-third pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for the draft rights to Vít Krejčí and Admiral Schofield.^[22] On December 18, the Thunder waived Admiral Schofield.^[23] Two days later on November 20, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Jaden McDaniels and Ricky Rubio to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three team trade, for the draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski, the seventeenth pick, James Johnson and a 2024 second-round pick. The Thunder also traded the draft rights to Immanuel Quickley, the twenty-fifth pick, to the New York Knicks as part of the three team trade.^[24]

On November 22, the Thunder traded Kelly Oubre Jr., originally acquired from the Suns, to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a protected 2021 first-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick via DEN.^[25] The first-round pick acquired was top-20 protected by Golden State and will be converted into two second-round picks if not conveyed.^[26]

George Hill

On November 24, the Thunder traded Steven Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans in a four team trade, for George Hill from Milwaukee, Zylan Cheatham from New Orleans, Josh Gray from New Orleans, Darius Miller from New Orleans, Kenrich Williams from New Orleans, a 2023 first-round pick from Denver, a 2023 second-round pick (via WAS) from New Orleans and a 2024 second-round pick (via CHA) from New Orleans.^[27] The Thunder also generated a trade exception worth $27.5 million, the largest in NBA history to date.^[28] Adams was the longest tenured player on the roster since being drafted back in 2013.

Steven Adams will hold a special place in our organizational legacy. On and off the floor, Steven contributed to our teams and community in unique ways and his place in Thunder history is secured.^[29]

— Sam Presti

On December 1 and December 2, the Thunder waived Josh Gray and Zylan Cheatham.^[30][31] The same day on November 24, the Thunder signed-and-traded Danilo Gallinari and cash considerations to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a protected 2025 second-round pick while generating another trade exception worth $19.5 million.^[32][33]

Al Horford

On November 25, the Thunder traded Jalen Lecque, originally acquired from the Suns, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for T. J. Leaf and a 2027 second-round pick.^[34] On December 18, the Thunder waived T. J. Leaf.^[35] On November 27, the Thunder traded James Johnson, originally acquired from the Timberwolves in a three team trade, for Trevor Ariza from Detroit, Justin Jackson from Dallas, a 2023 second-round pick (best of DAL or MIA) from Dallas and a 2026 second-round pick from Dallas.^[36] Ariza would never report to the Thunder while attending to personal issues that kept him out of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.^[37]

On December 8, the Thunder traded Terrance Ferguson, Danny Green, originally acquired from the Lakers, and Vincent Poirier, originally acquired from the Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Al Horford, the draft rights to Théo Maledon, the thirty-fourth pick, the draft rights to Vasilije Micić, the fifty-second pick in the 2014 NBA draft, and a 2025 first-round pick.^[38] Horford, who signed a four-year, $109 million deal, did not fit with Joel Embiid saw his role diminished and was eventually removed from the starting lineup. Micic was a second-round pick in 2014 was named to a second-team All-EuroLeague selection in 2019.

At the end of offseason, the Thunder accumulated 17 first-round picks through the 2026 NBA draft.^[39]

Free agency

Main article: List of 2020–21 NBA season transactions

For this offseason, free agency began on November 20, 2020, while the moratorium ended on November 22. Deonte Burton, Danilo Gallinari, Devon Hall, Kevin Hervey, Nerlens Noel and Andre Roberson were set to hit free agency. On September 21, Kevin Hervey signed a contract with the Russian team Lokomotiv Kuban of the VTB United League.^[40] Hervey was originally set to reach free agency in fall but the Thunder let him out of his contract early to be lined up with an international team.^[41] On November 20, it was reported that Danilo Gallinari agreed to a three-year, $61.5 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, which he later signed on November 24.^[42] The Thunder negotiated a sign-and-trade deal to acquire a protected 2025 second-round pick and generating a trade exception.^[43] On November 21, it was reported that Nerlens Noel agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Knicks, which he later signed on November 25.^[44] Burton, Hall and Roberson who were not re-signed, joined the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League, Brose Bamberg and the Brooklyn Nets respectively.

On December 9, Moses Brown and Josh Hall both signed a two-way contract with the Thunder, splitting time with the Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blue. Brown spent the 2019-20 season with the Portland Trail Blazers. Hall came undrafted out of Moravian Prep high school out of Hudson, North Carolina.^[45]

Front office and coaching changes

After the Thunder's defeat in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, head coach Billy Donovan and the Thunder mutually agreed to part ways on September 8, 2020, after five seasons with the team. Donovan was named head coach of the Thunder on April 30, 2015, taking over for Scott Brooks after the 2014-15 season. Donovan accumulated a 243-157 (.608) record with playoff appearances in each season, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.^[46] Donovan was also named co-recipient of the 2020 NBCA Coach of the Year.^[47]

On November 11, the Thunder hired Mark Daigneault, an assistant since last season, as head coach. Daigneault became the fourth head coach of the Thunder since moving to Oklahoma City. Daigneault spent five seasons as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue accumulating three consecutive division titles and four playoff appearances including a franchise-record 34 wins.^[48]

On November 25, the Thunder announced Mike Wilks, Dave Bliss, David Akinyooye, Mike Miller as assistant coaches and Zach Peterson and Kameron Woods as player development coaches. Miller joins the Thunder after serving as interim head coach of the New York Knicks. Woods joins the Thunder after serving two seasons as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Blue.^[49]

Roster

2020–21 Oklahoma City Thunder roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From G/F 7 Darius Bazley  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 2000-06-12 Princeton HS (OH) C 13 Tony Bradley 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1998-08-01 North Carolina G 44 Charlie Brown 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 199 lb (90 kg) 1997-02-02 Saint Joseph's C 9 Moses Brown 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1999-10-13 UCLA F 6 Gabriel Deck 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 231 lb (105 kg) 1995-02-08 Argentina G 5 Luguentz Dort  6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-04-19 Arizona State G 2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-07-12 Kentucky G 15 Josh Hall (TW) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-10-08 Moravian Prep (NC) F 8 Jaylen Hoard (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 216 lb (98 kg) 1999-03-30 Wake Forest F/C 42 Al Horford 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1986-06-03 Florida G 16 Ty Jerome  6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-07-08 Virginia G 11 Théo Maledon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-12 France F/C 33 Mike Muscala  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1991-07-01 Bucknell G/F 14 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1997-06-10 Kansas F 17 Aleksej Pokuševski 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-12-26 Serbia F 22 Isaiah Roby 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1998-02-03 Nebraska G/F 34 Kenrich Williams 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1994-12-02 TCU

Head coach Mark Daigneault Assistant(s) David Akinyooye Dave Bliss Mike Miller Mike Wilks Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Updated: May 15, 2021

Standings

Conference Western Conference # Team W L PCT GB GP 1 z – Utah Jazz * 52 20 .722 – 72 2 y – Phoenix Suns * 51 21 .708 1.0 72 3 x – Denver Nuggets 47 25 .653 5.0 72 4 x – Los Angeles Clippers 47 25 .653 5.0 72 5 y – Dallas Mavericks * 42 30 .583 10.0 72 6 x – Portland Trail Blazers 42 30 .583 10.0 72 7 x – Los Angeles Lakers 42 30 .583 10.0 72 8 pi – Golden State Warriors 39 33 .542 13.0 72 9 x – Memphis Grizzlies 38 34 .528 14.0 72 10 pi – San Antonio Spurs 33 39 .458 19.0 72 11 New Orleans Pelicans 31 41 .431 21.0 72 12 Sacramento Kings 31 41 .431 21.0 72 13 Minnesota Timberwolves 23 49 .319 29.0 72 14 Oklahoma City Thunder 22 50 .306 30.0 72 15 Houston Rockets 17 55 .236 35.0 72

Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP z – Utah Jazz 52 20 .722 – 31‍–‍5 21‍–‍15 7–5 72 x – Denver Nuggets 47 25 .653 5.0 25‍–‍11 22‍–‍14 9–3 72 x – Portland Trail Blazers 42 30 .583 10.0 20‍–‍16 22‍–‍14 6–6 72 Minnesota Timberwolves 23 49 .319 29.0 13‍–‍23 10‍–‍26 5–7 72 Oklahoma City Thunder 22 50 .306 30.0 10‍–‍26 12‍–‍24 3–9 72

Game log

Preseason

2020 preseason game log Total: 1–2 (Home: 0–2; Road:1–0)
Preseason: 1–2 (home: 0–2; road: 1–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 December 12 @ San Antonio W 121–108 Theo Maledon (20) Isaiah Roby (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4) AT&T Center No In-Person Attendance 1–0 2 December 16 Chicago L 103–124 Horford & Jackson (15) Al Horford (7) Gilgeous-Alexander & Roby (3) Chesapeake Energy Arena No In-Person Attendance 1–1 3 December 18 Chicago L 103–105 Al Horford (17) Aleksej Pokuševski (13) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena No In-Person Attendance 1–2
2020–21 season schedule

Regular season

2020–21 game log Total: 22–50 (Home: 10–26; Road: 12–24)
December: 1–3 (home: 0–3; road: 1–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record - December 23 @ Houston Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: March 21) 1 December 26 @ Charlotte W 109–107 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24) Al Horford (13) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Spectrum Center 0 1–0 2 December 28 Utah L 109–110 Luguentz Dort (26) Darius Bazley (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 1–1 3 December 29 Orlando L 107–118 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23) Hamidou Diallo (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 1–2 4 December 31 New Orleans L 80–113 Al Horford (17) Roby & Al Horford (6) Gilgeous-Alexander, Hill & Pokusevski (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 1–3
January: 7–7 (home: 1–3; road: 6–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 5 January 2 @ Orlando W 108–99 Darius Bazley (19) Darius Bazley (12) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Amway Center 3,339 2–3 6 January 4 @ Miami L 90–118 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18) Darius Bazley (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4) American Airlines Arena 0 2–4 7 January 6 @ New Orleans W 111–110 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21) Darius Bazley (12) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Smoothie King Center Limited Seating 3–4 8 January 8 @ New York W 101–89 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (25) Hamidou Diallo (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Madison Square Garden 0 4–4 9 January 10 @ Brooklyn W 129–116 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Gilgeous-Alexander, Horford (6) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Barclays Center 0 5–4 10 January 12 San Antonio L 102–112 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) George Hill (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 5–5 11 January 13 L. A. Lakers L 99–128 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17) Isaiah Roby (9) Maledon, Roby, Williams (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 5–6 12 January 15 Chicago W 127–125 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Luguentz Dort (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 6–6 - January 17 Philadelphia Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 10)[50] 13 January 19 @ Denver L 101–119 Luguentz Dort (20) Isaiah Roby (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Ball Arena 0 6–7 14 January 22 @ L. A. Clippers L 106–120 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30) Maledon & Hill (5) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) Staples Center 0 6–8 15 January 24 @ L. A. Clippers L 100–108 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (23) Darius Bazley (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11) Staples Center 0 6–9 16 January 25 @ Portland W 125–122 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) Moda Center 0 7–9 17 January 27 @ Phoenix W 102–97 Horford & Gilgeous-Alexander (21) Al Horford (11) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) PHX Arena 0 8–9 18 January 29 Brooklyn L 125–147 Gilgeous-Alexander & Maledon (24) Al Horford (6) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 8–10
February: 6–10 (home: 6–5; road: 0–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 19 February 1 Houston L 106–136 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19) Al Horford (7) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 8–11 20 February 3 Houston W 104–87 Kenrich Williams (19) Darius Bazley (12) Theo Maledon (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 9–11 21 February 5 Minnesota L 103–106 Al Horford (26) Darius Bazley (10) Hamidou Diallo (10) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 9–12 22 February 6 Minnesota W 120–118 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams (9) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 10–12 23 February 8 @ L. A. Lakers L 112–119 (OT) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29) Darius Bazley (16) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10) Staples Center 0 10–13 24 February 10 @ L. A. Lakers L 113–114 (OT) Al Horford (25) Hamidou Diallo (13) Al Horford (28) Staples Center 0 10–14 25 February 12 @ Denver L 95–97 Justin Jackson (20) Kenrich Williams (11) Kenrich Williams (9) Ball Arena 0 10–15 26 February 14 Milwaukee W 114–109 Al Horford (20) Hamidou Diallo (13) Al Horford (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 11–15 27 February 16 Portland L 104–115 Luguentz Dort (23) Isaiah Roby (10) Darius Bazley (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 11–16 28 February 17 @ Memphis L 113–122 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) Isaiah Roby (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6) FedEx Forum 0 11–17 29 February 19 @ Milwaukee L 85–98 Luguentz Dort (17) Muscala, Roby (7) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Fiserv Forum 750 11–18 30 February 21 Cleveland W 117–101 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Al Horford (8) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 2,720 12–18 31 February 22 Miami L 94–108 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27) Dort, Williams (7) Gilgeous-Alexander, Maledon (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 12–19 32 February 24 San Antonio W 102–99 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (42) Darius Bazley (10) Al Horford (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 13–19 33 February 26 Atlanta W 118–109 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24) Darius Bazley (12) Theo Maledon (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 14–19 34 February 27 Denver L 96–126 Darius Bazley (22) Isaiah Roby (9) Isaiah Roby (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 14–20
March: 6–7 (home: 3–4; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 35 March 3 Dallas L 78–87 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15) Darius Bazley (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (3) American Airlines Center 3,508 14–21 36 March 4 @ San Antonio W 107–102 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (33) Darius Bazley (10) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8) AT&T Center 1,000 15–21 37 March 11 Dallas W 116–108 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32) Moses Brown (12) Theo Maledon (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 16–21 38 March 13 New York L 97–119 Al Horford (16) Moses Brown (9) Dort & Jerome (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 16–22 39 March 14 Memphis W 128–122 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30) Aleksej Pokusevski (10) Jerome & Gilgeous-Alexander (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 17–22 40 March 16 @ Chicago L 102–123 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21) Moses Brown (16) Kenrich Williams (4) United Center 0 17–23 41 March 18 @ Atlanta L 93–116 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19) Isaiah Roby (8) Theo Maledon (5) State Farm Arena 2,621 17–24 42 March 21 @ Houston W 114–112 Luguentz Dort (23) Moses Brown (14) Ty Jerome (5) Toyota Center 3,297 18–24 43 March 22 @ Minnesota W 112–103 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31) Moses Brown (18) Ty Jerome (6) Target Center 0 19–24 44 March 24 Memphis L 107–116 Moses Brown (19) Moses Brown (12) Al Horford (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 19–25 45 March 27 Boston L 94–111 Theo Maledon (22) Moses Brown (23) Aleksej Pokuševski (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 19–26 46 March 29 Dallas L 106–127 Aleksej Pokuševski (21) Brown, Roby (9) Ty Jerome (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 19–27 47 March 31 Toronto W 113–103 Svi Mykhailiuk (22) Moses Brown (12) Theo Maledon (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–27
April: 1–15 (home: 0–7; road: 1–8) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 48 April 2 @ Phoenix L 103–140 Theo Maledon (33) Moses Brown (7) Aleksej Pokuševski (4) Phoenix Suns Arena 3,422 20–28 49 April 3 @ Portland L 85–133 Kenrich Williams (18) Moses Brown (14) Jerome & Pokuševski (4) Moda Center 0 20–29 50 April 5 Detroit L 108–132 Aleksej Pokuševski (19) Tony Bradley (9) Ty Jerome (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–30 51 April 7 Charlotte L 102–113 Jalen McDaniels (21) Cody Zeller (14) Brad Wanamaker (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–31 52 April 8 Cleveland L 102–129 Ty Jerome (23) Moses Brown(11) Kenrich Williams (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–32 53 April 10 Philadelphia L 93–117 Darius Bazley (17) Tony Bradley (14) Bazley, Jerome, Maledon (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–33 54 April 13 @ Utah L 96–106 Luguentz Dort (42) Moses Brown (15) Luguentz Dort (3) Vivint Arena 5,546 20–34 55 April 14 Golden State L 109–147 Darius Bazley (22) Moses Brown (12) Theo Maledon (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–35 56 April 16 @ Detroit L 104–110 Luguentz Dort (26) Moses Brown (8) Kenrich Williams (4) Little Caesars Arena 750 20–36 57 April 18 @ Toronto L 106–111 Luguentz Dort (29) Bazley, Roby (8) Ty Jerome (6) Amalie Arena Limited seating 20–37 58 April 19 @ Washington L 107–119 Darius Bazley (20) Bazley, Maledon, Williams (7) Maledon, Pokuševski (5) Capital One Arena 0 20–38 59 April 21 @ Indiana L 116–122 Darius Bazley (26) Moses Brown (11) Theo Maledon (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 0 20–39 60 April 23 Washington L 109–129 Bazley, Maledon (20) Dort, Roby (8) Theo Maledon (8) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 20–40 61 April 26 @ Philadelphia L 90–121 Ty Jerome (22) Brown, Roby (8) Aleksej Pokuševski (5) Wells Fargo Center 4,094 20–41 62 April 27 @ Boston W 119–115 Luguentz Dort (24) Darius Bazley (10) Theo Maledon (5) TD Garden 2,298 21–41 63 April 29 New Orleans L 95–109 Luguentz Dort (17) Moses Brown (18) Theo Maledon (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 21–42
May: 1–8 (home: 1–4; road: 0–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 64 May 1 Indiana L 95–152 Moses Brown (16) Gabriel Deck (5) Hall, Williams (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 21–43 65 May 2 Phoenix L 120–123 Darius Bazley (19) Darius Bazley (9) Ty Jerome (5) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 21–44 66 May 4 Sacramento L 99–103 Darius Bazley (24) Moses Brown (17) Dort, Jerome (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 21–45 67 May 6 @ Golden State L 97–118 Ty Jerome (23) Moses Brown (8) Theo Maledon (8) Chase Center 3,621 21–46 68 May 8 @ Golden State L 97–136 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (17) Moses Brown (8) Kenrich Williams (5) Chase Center 4,155 21–47 69 May 9 @ Sacramento L 98–126 Darius Bazley (18) Moses Brown (8) Aleksej Pokuševski (5) Golden 1 Center 0 21–48 70 May 11 @ Sacramento L 106–122 Kenrich Williams (20) Moses Brown (13) Hoard, Williams (4) Golden 1 Center 0 21–49 71 May 14 Utah L 93–102 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (19) Aleksej Pokuševski (9) Tony Bradley, Maledon (3) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 21–50 72 May 16 L. A. Clippers W 117–112 Aleksej Pokuševski (29) Moses Brown (18) Theo Maledon (4) Chesapeake Energy Arena 0 22–50
2020–21 season schedule

Player statistics

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

Oklahoma City Thunder statistics

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Darius Bazley	55	55	31.2	39.6%	29.0%	70.2%	7.2	1.8	0.5	0.5	13.7
Tony Bradley ≠	22	0	18.0	65.6%	0.0%	70.5%	6.1	0.9	0.4	0.8	8.7
Charlie Brown Jr. ≠	9	1	16.9	30.2%	23.8%	90.0%	1.9	1.0	0.4	0.2	4.4
Moses Brown	43	32	21.4	54.5%	-	61.9%	8.9	0.2	0.7	1.1	8.6
Gabriel Deck ≠	10	0	21.2	47.8%	13.3%	81.8%	4.0	2.4	0.8	0.0	8.4
Hamidou Diallo †	32	5	23.8	48.1%	29.3%	62.9%	5.2	2.4	1.0	0.4	11.9
Luguentz Dort	52	52	29.7	38.7%	34.3%	74.4%	3.6	1.7	0.9	0.4	14.0
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	35	35	33.7	50.8%	41.8%	80.8%	4.7	5.9	0.8	0.7	23.7
Josh Hall	21	1	16.0	30.3%	10.8%	50.0%	2.8	1.3	0.2	0.0	4.1
George Hill †	14	14	26.4	50.8%	38.6%	84.0%	2.1	3.1	0.9	0.1	11.8
Jaylen Hoard ≠	19	0	16.8	50.0%	0.0%	68.3%	3.4	1.3	0.7	0.3	6.1
Al Horford	28	28	27.9	45.0%	36.8%	81.8%	6.7	3.4	0.9	0.9	14.2
Justin Jackson ‡	33	3	16.5	40.6%	30.6%	85.7%	2.2	1.5	0.5	0.1	7.2
Ty Jerome	33	1	23.9	44.6%	42.3%	76.5%	2.8	3.6	0.6	0.2	10.7
Théo Maledon	65	49	27.4	36.8%	33.5%	74.8%	3.2	3.5	0.9	0.2	10.1
Darius Miller ‡	18	0	10.9	45.8%	40.5%	100%	1.3	1.2	0.7	0.3	4.1
Mike Muscala	35	0	18.4	44.6%	37.0%	91.7%	3.8	0.8	0.2	0.3	9.7
Svi Mykhailiuk ≠	30	9	23.0	43.8%	33.6%	70.0%	3.0	1.8	0.8	0.2	10.3
Aleksej Pokuševski	48	28	24.2	34.1%	28.0%	73.8%	4.7	2.2	0.4	0.9	8.2
Justin Robinson ≠	9	0	9.8	33.3%	28.6%	60.0%	0.8	1.0	0.3	0.0	2.3
Isaiah Roby	61	34	23.4	48.3%	29.4%	74.4%	5.6	1.8	0.9	0.6	8.7
Kenrich Williams	66	13	21.6	53.3%	44.4%	57.1%	4.1	2.3	0.8	0.3	8.0

  Led team in statistic

After all games.^[51]
‡ Waived during the season
^† Traded during the season
^≠ Acquired during the season

Individual game highs

Category Player Statistic Points Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Luguentz Dort 42 vs Spurs on February 24, 2021 42 vs Jazz on April 13, 2021 Rebounds Moses Brown 23 vs Celtics on March 27, 2021 Assists Théo Maledon 12 vs Hawks on February 26, 2021 Steals Luguentz Dort Theo Maledon 6 vs Bulls on January 15, 2021 6 vs Rockets on February 3, 2021 Blocks Moses Brown 7 vs Clippers on May 16, 2021 Minutes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 43:31 vs Bulls on January 15, 2021

Category Player Statistic Field Goals Made Luguentz Dort 16 vs Jazz on April 13, 2021 Threes Made Aleksej Pokuševski Luguentz Dort 7 vs Hornets on April 7, 2021 7 vs Jazz on April 13, 2021 Free Throws Made Darius Bazley Luguentz Dort 11 vs Wizards on April 19, 2021 11 vs Celtics on April 27, 2021 Double-Doubles Moses Brown 12 Triple-Doubles N/A N/A

Transactions

Main article: List of 2020–21 NBA season transactions

Overview

Players Added Via trade George Hill Al Horford Ty Jerome Justin Jackson Théo Maledon (Draft rights) Aleksej Pokuševski (Draft rights) Kenrich Williams Via free agency Moses Brown Josh Hall

Players Lost Via trade Steven Adams Terrance Ferguson Abdel Nader Chris Paul Dennis Schröder Via free agency Deonte Burton Danilo Gallinari Devon Hall Kevin Hervey Nerlens Noel Andre Roberson

Trades

November 16, 2020[52]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Ty Jerome Jalen Lecque Kelly Oubre Jr. Ricky Rubio 2022 first-round pick	To Phoenix Suns Chris Paul Abdel Nader
November 18, 2020[53]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Danny Green Draft rights to Jaden McDaniels	To Los Angeles Lakers Dennis Schröder
November 19, 2020[54]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Vincent Poirier	To Boston Celtics Protected 2021-second round pick
November 19, 2020[55]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Admiral Schofield Draft rights to Vít Krejčí	To Washington Wizards Draft rights to Cassius Winston 2024 second-round pick
November 20, 2020[56]	To Oklahoma City Thunder James Johnson via MIN 2024 second-round pick via MIN Draft rights to Aleksej Pokuševski via MIN	To Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio via OKC 2020 first-round pick via NYK Draft rights to Jaden McDaniels via OKC
	To New York Knicks 2023 second-round pick via MIN Draft rights to Immanuel Quickley via OKC Draft rights to Mathias Lessort via MIN
November 22, 2020[57]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Protected 2021 first-round pick 2021 second-round pick via DEN	To Golden State Warriors Kelly Oubre Jr.
November 24, 2020[58]	To Oklahoma City Thunder George Hill via MIL Zylan Cheatham via NOP Josh Gray via NOP Darius Miller via NOP Kenrich Williams via NOP 2023 protected first-round pick via DEN 2023 second-round pick via NOP (via WAS) 2024 second-round pick via NOP (via CHA)	To New Orleans Pelicans Steven Adams via OKC Eric Bledsoe via MIL 2024 first-round pick via MIL 2025 first-round pick via MIL 2026 first-round pick via MIL 2027 first-round pick via MIL
	To Denver Nuggets Draft rights to R. J. Hampton via MIL	To Milwaukee Bucks Jrue Holiday via NOP Draft rights to Sam Merrill via NOP
November 24, 2020[59]	To Oklahoma City Thunder 2025 second-round pick	To Atlanta Hawks Danilo Gallinari Cash considerations
November 25, 2020[60]	To Oklahoma City Thunder T. J. Leaf 2027 second-round pick	To Indiana Pacers Jalen Lecque
November 27, 2020[61]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Trevor Ariza via DET Justin Jackson via DAL 2023 second-round pick via DAL (best from either DAL or MIA) 2026 second-round pick via DAL	To Dallas Mavericks James Johnson via OKC
	To Detroit Pistons Delon Wright via DAL
December 8, 2020[62]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Al Horford 2025 first-round pick Draft rights to Théo Maledon Draft rights to Vasilije Micić	To Philadelphia 76ers Terrance Ferguson Danny Green Vincent Poirier
March 13, 2021[63]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Svi Mykhailiuk 2027 second-round pick via HOU	To Detroit Pistons Hamidou Diallo
March 17, 2021[64]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Meyers Leonard 2027 second-round pick	To Miami Heat Trevor Ariza
March 25, 2021[65]	To Oklahoma City Thunder Tony Bradley via PHI Austin Rivers via NYK 2025 second-round pick via PHI 2026 second-round pick via PHI	To Philadelphia 76ers George Hill via OKC Ignas Brazdeikis via NYK
	To New York Knicks Terrance Ferguson via PHI Vincent Poirier via PHI Draft rights to Emir Preldžić via PHI 2021 second-round pick via PHI 2024 second-round pick via PHI

Free agency

Re-signed

Date	Player	Contract
In-Season Re-Signings
March 28, 2021	Moses Brown[66]	Multi-Year[a]
May 15, 2021	Charlie Brown Jr.[67]	Multi-Year[b]

^ a: Moses Brown initially signed a two-way contract before it was converted into a multi-year contract.^[68]
^ b: Charlie Brown Jr. initially signed two 10-day contracts before he signed a multi-year contract.^[69]

Additions

Date	Player	Contract	Former team
December 9, 2020	Moses Brown[70]	Two-Way	Portland Trail Blazers
December 9, 2020	Josh Hall[71]	Two-Way	Moravian Prep (Postgraduate)
In-Season Additions
April 5, 2021	Justin Robinson[72]	10-Day	Delaware Blue Coats (G League)
April 5, 2021	Jaylen Hoard[73]	Two-Way	Oklahoma City Blue (G League)
April 12, 2021	Gabriel Deck[74]	Multi-Year	Real Madrid
April 15, 2021	Justin Robinson[75]	Second 10-Day	Oklahoma City Thunder
April 25, 2021	Charlie Brown Jr.[76]	10-Day	Iowa Wolves (G League)
May 5, 2021	Charlie Brown Jr.[77]	Second 10-Day	Oklahoma City Thunder

Subtractions

Date	Player	Reason left	New team
September 21, 2020	Kevin Hervey[78]	Free agent	Lokomotiv Kuban
November 21, 2020	Deonte Burton	Free agent	Maine Celtics (G League)
November 24, 2020	Danilo Gallinari[79]	Free agent	Atlanta Hawks
November 25, 2020	Nerlens Noel[80]	Free agent	New York Knicks
December 1, 2020	Josh Gray[81]	Waived	Fort Wayne Mad Ants (G League)
December 2, 2020	Zylan Cheatham[82]	Waived	Iowa Wolves (G League)
December 18, 2020	T. J. Leaf[83]	Waived	Portland Trail Blazers
December 18, 2020	Admiral Schofield[84]	Waived	Greensboro Swarm (G League)
February 16, 2021	Andre Roberson[c][85]	Free agent	Brooklyn Nets
In-Season Subtractions
March 25, 2021	Meyers Leonard[86]	Waived	Milwaukee Bucks
March 28, 2021	Austin Rivers[87]	Waived	Denver Nuggets
April 5, 2021	Justin Jackson[88]	Waived	Milwaukee Bucks
April 8, 2021	Darius Miller[89]	Waived	N/A

^ c: Andre Roberson's contract expired at the end of the 2019-20 season.