The Thunder were going to be tested against either possibility. The Nuggets are top-heavy but have one of the best starting lineups, headlined by the best player in the world. Meanwhile, the Clippers were one of the deepest teams in the league and have been red-hot since the All-Star break.

But OKC has five perimeter defenders (Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace and Lu Dort) who ranked in the 89th percentile or higher in defensive estimated plus-minus (one of the most trusted catch-all metrics in NBA front offices). And all five will get their shots at Murray.

Waiting is the hardest part and the Oklahoma City Thunder are once again in the holding pattern. The Thunder featured a long lay off between the end of the regu