Thunder Role Players Equally Important for Deep Playoff Push

The regular season has come to an end, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to begin their playoff journey on Sunday afternoon.

After a historic regular season in which they finished with a league-best 68-14 record, the Thunder enter the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive year.

Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the frontrunner to win his first MVP Award, Oklahoma City is positioned to make a legitimate push toward the NBA Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander’s elite scoring, paired with the rise of first-time All-Star Jalen Williams, along with their defensive anchor in Chet Holmgren, gives the Thunder a formidable big three. The team also features elite defenders throughout the roster, good depth, and one of the most balanced rotations in the league.

But as history has shown, playoff success isn’t just about star power alone. Role players often swing postseason games and series, especially in high-leverage moments. For Oklahoma City to replicate its regular-season dominance and advance deep into the playoffs, it will need consistent production from the supporting cast.

Here are the three key role players who could make a major impact during OKC’s 2025 playoff run:

1. Isaiah Joe

Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2022, Isaiah Joe has carved out a clear role as the team’s designated sharpshooter.

In each of his three seasons with the Thunder, Joe has hit better than 40% of his 3-point attempts, spacing the floor and punishing opposing defenses that collapse on SGA or Jalen Williams.

This season, Joe shot 41.2% from beyond three while averaging 10.2 points per game. He attempted over six triples per game, often coming off the bench to provide an instant spacing and scoring spark. In the final stretch of the regular season, Joe proved he could do more than just catch and shoot. With much of the rotation sitting the last stretch of the season, he scored 30-plus points in two of OKC’s last 10 games, including a 10-of-14 shooting performance from deep against the Utah Jazz.

If Joe can continue this hot shooting into the playoffs and knock down timely shots, he could play a pivotal role in swinging the momentum of a close game or even a series. His gravity opens driving lanes for everyone else, and his quick trigger can punish defenses that are slow to rotate.

2. Aaron Wiggins

Aaron Wiggins has been OKC’s sixth man for much of the season. His combination of athleticism, defensive toughness, and scoring ability has made him a vital piece in Mark Daigneault’s rotation.

Wiggins averaged 12.1 points per game this year and proved he could shoulder a heavier offensive load when needed. He had three games with 30-plus points, including a 41-point, 14-rebound performance in a win over the Sacramento Kings earlier in the season. That kind of outburst off the bench gives the Thunder a new dimension in the playoffs.