On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
After a 13-year drought, the Oklahoma City Thunder have punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
OKC's return to the championship round comes with a completely new variation of the team. Through the departures of stars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Chris Paul, general manager Sam Presti acquired a mind-boggling amount of draft picks to go along with talented players like Danilo Gallinari and, of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Even with those assets, though, the Thunder only landed one pick in the top five of the NBA Draft, which allowed the team to select Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick in 2022.
After reaching the postseason in 2019-20, OKC went 22-50 and 24-58 before returning to the postseason. The Thunder's 2021 tanking efforts only awarded the team the No. 6 overall pick, which Presti and company used to select Josh Giddey.
While Giddey himself hasn't contributed to the Thunder reaching the NBA Finals this season, the Australian guard was valuable enough to return Alex Caruso in a trade with the Chicago Bulls. Following Giddey being benched by Mark Daigneault in last year's playoffs, Caruso has been instrumental in OKC's playoff run this time around.
The team's second All-Star alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, was selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 draft after rising through the pre-draft process following a strong campaign at Santa Clara.
Oklahoma City's success without repeatedly picking at the top of the draft shows that franchises can be successful without winning the lottery if their front office is saavy on the trade market, the draft and free agency.
This year, teams like the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz, who didn't get top-four picks despite disappointing seasons, can hold out hope that their team can still land an impactful player or an important trade piece in their current spots.
While not even team will be able to build a 68-win team with an MVP leading the way, the Thunder's process shows that it is possible for small-market teams can win without having the top pick.
More must-reads:
- How Steelers' Aaron Rodgers feels about being a villain for Bears fans
- Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen suffers freak injury in 'barbecue accident'
- The 'NFL single-game completions leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
The Florida Gators are now expected to be without a key starter against the Tennessee Vols
Jessica Pegula Gets a Laugh Out of Josh Allen’s 'Sickos' Take
In the wild world where elite sports collide, you sometimes get moments that are just pure, unadulterated gold. American tennis star Jessica Pegula, who also happens to be the heiress to the Buffalo Bills fortune, just gave us one of those moments. She reacted to a rather intense revelation from Bills’ star quarterback, Josh Allen, and it’s pretty clear she’s amused. If you’re not keeping score at home, Pegula’s family tree has some serious financial muscle. Her billionaire parents, Terry and Kim Pegula, snapped up the Buffalo Bills for a cool $1.4 billion back in 2014. So, when Jessica Pegula weighs in on Bills’ business, people tend to listen. Or, in this case, watch her Instagram story. What Did Josh Allen Say About Being a “Sicko”? The whole thing blew up after a recent Instagram clip from the Bills’ official account started making the rounds. The video featured Josh Allen getting real about the brutal nature of football. It was a classic “mic drop” moment where he candidly described just how demanding the sport is. “This is a tough sport. It’s not for everybody. You gotta be a little sick to love this game. And, we got some sickos,” Allen declared. The video then cuts to a clip of him plowing through a wall of defenders before being taken down. It’s the kind of quote that gets fans hyped and probably makes opposing teams a little nervous. Jessica Pegula, clearly entertained, didn’t miss a beat. She reposted the clip to her Instagram story, adding three laughing emojis for good measure. It was a simple, yet perfect, reaction. A nod of agreement from someone who understands the high-pressure world of professional sports, but also can’t help but chuckle at Allen’s blunt, slightly unhinged honesty. Jessica Pegula: A Force on the Court and a Fan Off It It’s easy to forget that behind the billion-dollar family name, Jessica Pegula is a powerhouse athlete in her own right. She had a pretty solid 2025 season, snagging three tour-level titles and boasting an impressive 53-23 win-loss record. Her performance was strong enough to earn her a spot in the prestigious WTA Finals in Riyadh. She battled her way to the semifinals, taking down compatriot Coco Gauff before falling to the eventual champion, Elena Rybakina, in a grueling three-set match. Now, during her offseason, Pegula is clearly enjoying some downtime and keeping a close eye on the family business—the Buffalo Bills. Her support isn’t just a casual thing, either. She’s been a vocal fan, especially of Josh Allen. She even celebrated his recent milestone when he became the NFL’s all-time leader in total touchdowns for players under 30. That happened during the Bills’ 44–32 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Allen was, predictably, a decisive factor. Back in 2021, Pegula even confessed that Allen’s grit and competitive fire inspire her own game on the tennis court. She admired his “gamer” mentality and his sheer will to win, even when things weren’t going his way. It’s a classic case of game recognizing game. So, while she may not be directly running the Bills’ operations, Jessica Pegula is undeniably one of their most high-profile and passionate supporters. Her recent reaction to Allen’s “sickos” comment is just another reminder of the fascinating intersection of her family, her career, and her love for the game. And let’s be honest, it’s just plain entertaining.
Packers Receive Disappointing Injury News Before Vikings Matchup
Jayden Reed’s anticipated return to the practice field for the Green Bay Packers will have to wait a little longer. Despite some growing hope earlier this week that the dynamic wide receiver could begin the next phase of his recovery, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Reed will not open his 21-day practice window yet. “He’s not practicing today,” LaFleur said ahead of Sunday’s critical matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. When pressed for a clearer timeline on the second-year standout, who remains on injured reserve with collarbone and foot injuries, LaFleur deferred to the medical staff. “I don’t know. As soon as medical clears him, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s excited to get back. As am I.” The optimism had spiked in recent days. On Monday, LaFleur indicated there was a chance Reed and/or rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd could start their practice windows this week. Reed himself fueled the excitement Tuesday by sharing a photo of himself dressed in full uniform on social media. Those plans, however, are now on hold. Reed’s surgically repaired foot seems to have healed satisfactorily, but the collarbone—fractured on a diving attempt during the first half of Green Bay’s Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders—still needs additional time. For a wide receiver whose job involves regular physical contact and the risk of landing hard on the shoulder, the medical staff is requiring clear imaging evidence that the bone is strong enough before green-lighting a return. The cautious approach echoes the Packers’ handling of Aaron Rodgers’ similar collarbone injury in 2017, when the former quarterback sat out seven games while waiting for full healing. Nearly 10 weeks removed from the injury and having already missed eight contests, Reed could still require another one to two weeks before doctors are comfortable clearing him for football activities. That timeline keeps a potential return for the Thanksgiving night clash with the Detroit Lions or the following week against the Chicago Bears realistically in play. Before the injury, Reed had established himself as Green Bay’s top receiving weapon. He paced the team in receiving yards in both 2023 and 2024, and in the two games he played this season while managing the foot issue, he recorded three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Green Bay Packers will continue their Week 12 preparations without their leading wideout on the practice field, with LaFleur and the organization prioritizing full recovery over a rushed comeback.
Shedeur Sanders makes promise to Browns fans ahead of first regular-season start
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make the first regular-season start of his career when the 2-8 Browns play at the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8) this Sunday. Later on Wednesday, Sanders offered somewhat of a promise to Cleveland supporters who are hoping the fifth-round draft pick could potentially become a savior for the franchise. Shedeur Sanders wants to be "the guy" for the Browns "I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope," Sanders acknowledged, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "And I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn't feel like I am the guy. ...I'm doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got to be sped up, and that's great. I like pressure in life. I'm just excited for everything. So, I feel like I'm the guy. I know I'm the guy, but you just have to be able to see." Sanders made his regular-season debut against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday after fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion. In total, Sanders completed 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in what became a 23-16 defeat. He was also sacked twice for a loss of 27 yards. Why Shedeur Sanders is confident he'll be better in second appearance Earlier in the week, Stefanski suggested the coaching staff is confident Sanders will play better after the 23-year-old gets first-team practice reps that were previously reserved for Gabriel. During his Wednesday media availability, Sanders echoed Stefanski's take. "I'm truly excited for that, knowing that I have a piece of [the] offense and a say so and how things fit my eye and place the players exactly where they need to be," Sanders added. "Seeing how they come in and out of routes, seeing the structure of the O-linemen, seeing their set, just having a feeling. I'm more of a feel type of person, so that's how I learn. That's how I do everything. I'm not just, 'Imma just watch it, it's just going to happen.' No, I got to be out there, feel it. I got to move around. It's like so many details that it takes for me to feel my best and play my best, and I'm doing everything in my power and the team's doing everything to help me get prepared." It remains to be seen if a more prepared version of Sanders will be able to relegate a healthy Gabriel to backup duties beyond Week 12. As of Wednesday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Browns as four-point underdogs against the Raiders.
Cowboys Announce Trevon Diggs News After Four Missed Games
Trevon Diggs watched on as Brian Schottenheimer and the Dallas Cowboys ended a two-game skid, defeating Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders 33-16 in Week 11's edition of "Monday Night Football." Now, the Cowboys improve to 4-5-1 on the 2025 NFL season with a Week 12 NFC East matchup on the horizon against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ten games into the regular season, the Cowboys have fielded one of the NFL’s worst defenses, allowing 378.7 total yards per game, 30th in the league, and a league-worst 258.7 passing yards. With the unit struggling, Jerry Jones decided it was time for upgrades, acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson at the trade deadline. The team also welcomed back linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who had been recovering from a knee injury. With the reinforcements arriving for the Raiders matchup, the defense delivered its best performance of the season, allowing just 236 total yards, including only 27 on the ground. Despite the impressive outing, Dallas was still without one of its top defenders, as Diggs remained sidelined. Ahead of the Cowboys’ Week 7 win over the Washington Commanders, Diggs was ruled out after suffering a concussion in an accident at home. The following week, he was placed on injured reserve while also dealing with a separate knee injury. He has missed Dallas’ last four games, during which the team went 2-2. Diggs won't be able to make his return until the Thanksgiving matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, meaning he will be out against the Eagles. But on Wednesday, Schottenheimer had a positive update to share on his Pro Bowl cornerback. "Brian Schottenheimer says that Solomon Thomas is 'making progress' and with Trevon Diggs, 'all signs are that he's doing everything he's supposed to do,'" Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish wrote on X. "#Cowboys are doing walkthroughs today, so they'll know more on the injury front tomorrow." The Cowboys will take on the Eagles on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at AT T Stadium.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
