The Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA, have secured a prime ABC slot for Game 1 of the playoffs. Led by a strong performance and notable achievements, the Thunder will face either Memphis, Sacramento, or Dallas at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. Coach Mark Daigneault guided the team to a club-record 68 wins and home-court advantage for the playoffs, earning them a spot in the national spotlight.
Despite being from one of the league's smallest TV markets, the Thunder's success and marketability have garnered attention, with their playoff opener selected for national broadcast on ABC. Notably, the Thunder's omission from the Christmas Day lineup earlier in the season fueled their determination to showcase their caliber. With the reigning Western Conference No. 1 seed proving their worth throughout the season, the Thunder's recognition culminates in a highly anticipated Game 1 broadcast on a major network.