Forcing Turnovers a Key Part of the OKC Thunder's Recent Success

In many ways, the Oklahoma City Thunder is not a conventional young team, but none stand out more than the turnover department.

The Thunder’s win against the Golden State Warriors on Friday was the most recent example of their advantage there. It was also their best performance in that area as they forced the Warriors into 28 turnovers, the most by any team in a game this season.

While turning other teams over is a recipe for success, Oklahoma City has shown that it is capable of also not turning the ball over on offense. Turning it over just nine times in Friday’s game, Oklahoma City finished with a turnover margin of +19, the best in a game this season by five turnovers.

Since the beginning of the Thunder’s six-game winning streak in mid-November, they have won the turnover battle in all but two games. In that stretch, they have won the forced seven more turnovers per game than they have committed.

With so many turnovers committed by opponents, Oklahoma City has been able to force many live-ball turnovers and come away with 8.7 per game. That number puts Oklahoma City near the top of the NBA, which makes sense considering it also has the league leader in steals.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may not be the overall leader of the Thunder’s defense, but his ability to take the ball from his opponents is undeniable. Averaging 2.8 after his five-steal performance against the Warriors, he has a substantial lead on the rest of the league.

After the Thunder’s slow start to forcing turnovers, they sit second in the league in opponent turnovers committed. When winning the turnover battle this season, the Thunder is 11-5, a slightly better record than their overall 14-7 mark.

Most importantly, winning the turnover battle can mask the Thunder’s deficiencies elsewhere, specifically rebounding. The Thunder is last in the NBA in defensive rebound percentage and next-to-last in offensive rebound percentage, making advantages in other aspects critical.

Although there are a number of things that will decide the Thunder’s success over the next few months and potentially into the postseason, forcing turnovers while not turning the ball over could help the Thunder reach their goals.