Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 takeaways from Game 5 loss vs. Blazers

Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 takeaways from stunning Game 5 loss vs. Blazers

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Paul George #13, Russell Westbrook #0, and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high-five during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Five Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Thunder’s postseason futility continues

The playoffs have not been kind to the Thunder over the past couple of seasons. In fact, since Kevin Durant took his talents to the Bay Area, the Thunder haven’t been what you would call a postseason powerhouse.

In 2016-17, the Thunder finished with the sixth-best record in the West and Westbrook was the league MVP after averaging a triple-double. Although the Thunder did exceed expectations to an extent following Durant’s departure, they were quickly eliminated in five games in the first round.

A year ago, OKC was matched up against the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. Despite having home-court advantage, though, they fell to Utah in six games. Following this five-game series loss to the Trail Blazers, the Thunder have been eliminated in the first round for the third straight season, having won just four of their 16 playoff games during that stretch.

Additionally, OKC has dropped 12 straight road games dating back to the 2016 NBA Playoffs. With so little playoff success to show for their efforts over the past few years, it will be interesting to see what kind of moves (if any) the team will make during the upcoming offseason.