It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such a hot Paycom Center. Moreover, Josh Giddey confirmed in a press conference that it was “the loudest atmosphere in the two years that I have been with the Thunder”.
This 18-2 in the fourth quarter to overthrow the Suns was indeed accompanied by the Oklahoma City hall, which belched after each basket scored by the Australian, Aaron Wiggins, Lu Dort or Isaiah Joe. “The players feel that kind of energy, and it was huge for us tonight. This run was the major element that allowed us to come back to win this match.explains Josh Giddey, author of 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
It must be said that in the home stretch of the season, this match against Phoenix was worth a lot.
“Tonight, we had a real home advantage” confirms Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, author of 40 points, without attempting any 3-point shot. “We made runs, we did our job in defense and the public really brought energy. They are usually discreet but it was a big game tonight, and it showed. »
Almost four years after the last playoff games
Mark Daigneault would also like this atmosphere to remain.
“The key to winning this type of match is to stay alive long enough, waiting for the match to turn. The public made the difference tonight. It was huge. We need that every night, every home game, from now on.” thus claims the technician to his fans.
And there is a chance that this is the case since with their record (35 wins – 36 losses), his players are currently in 8th place in the Western Conference with still 11 games to play. Only four of them will be in Oklahoma City, but the Thunder should be in the playoff or at least play-in contention until the end, so the Paycom Center should once again earn its ‘Loud City’ moniker. .
It must be said that it has now been almost four years since OKC fans have been able to taste the intoxication of the playoffs. In 2020, Chris Paul and company indeed played their first round against the Rockets in the “bubble” of Orlando. The last playoff game at the Paycom Center, then called the Chesapeake Energy Arena, dates back to April 21, 2019. It was Game 4 of the first round against Damian Lillard’s Blazers, a game lost by Russell Westbrook and his troop, finally eliminated a few days later in Oregon…
