As the Thunder prepares to open an NBA Playoffs series at home for the first time in its three-year history, players and coaches are eager to see the reception that awaits them tonight from the fans inside the sold-out Oklahoma City Arena.
They know it will be loud; that's a given from Thunder fans. The question is: will they come close to matching the decibel level displayed last year in the playoffs?
“I’m not sure they can do that,” Thunder Head Coach Scott Brooks said. “That level last year was the best I’ve ever seen. If they can just get to that level again that would be great.”
Thunder forward Kevin Durant agreed. “Oh, I don’t know if they can do that. I don’t know if they can be any louder,” he said.
It sounds as if a friendly challenge has been issued.
"Yes, that is a challenge,” Durant said, winking into TV cameras.
“All season long they’re there for us," Brooks said of Thunder fans. "It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekday game, a weekend; if we’re playing a great team or a team with a bad record. They’ve supported our guys for the last three years. But that playoff atmosphere last year? I can’t imagine it getting any better than that. If it does that would just blow us all away.”
Tipoff against the Denver Nuggets is set for 8:30 tonight inside Oklahoma City Arena. You can watch all the action on Fox Sports Oklahoma or listen in on the Thunder Radio Network.