Oklahoma City Thunder make NBA history as youngest team to finish as No. 1 seed: what is their average age?

Oklahoma City Thunder finished off the 2023/24 regular season on style on Sunday, easily seeing off the Dallas Mavericks 135-86 at Paycom Center to pip the Denver Nuggets to be the Western Conference No.1 seed for the upcoming NBA playoffs, which get underway on Saturday 20 April. In the process, they made history as the team with the youngest roster to finish top of either Conference.

Thunder take NBA No.1 seed record after Mavericks victory

Mark Daigneault’s team needed to defeat the Mavericks to ensure they finished ahead of the Nuggets, who had an identical record to them over the course of the regular season. However, the Thunder came out on top in head-to-head meetings between the teams, winning the series 3-1.

Since records began in 1970/71, Oklahoma City are the team with the youngest average age to go into the end-of-season playoffs as No.1 seed, weighted by playing time.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads young team to top of West Conference

25-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is widely considered the Thunder’s biggest star, averaging 30.1 points per game during the regular season, third in the league behind the Mavericks’ Luka Doncic (33.9 points) and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks (30.4 points).

And SGA has been more than ably supported by his even younger teammates, including rookie center Chet Holmgren (22 next month), 21-year-old guard Josh Giddy and small forward Jalen Williams, who has just turned 23, all of whom have earned praise for their own performances.

What is the average age of the Oklahoma City Thunder roster?

They have all contributed to the Thunder having an average age (weighted by playing time) of just 23.92 years old, meaning they comfortably take the record as youngest ever No. 1 seed. The Portland Trail Blazers team in 1977/78 previous held that title but were almost two years older on average (27.71 years old).

Next on the list are the Phoenix Suns in 2004/05 (25.76 years old), the Philadelphia 76ers in 1976/77 (26.02 years old) and the Suns again in 1980/81 (26.10 years old).

Who will the Thunder face in the 2024 NBA playoffs?

Oklahoma City will, however, have to wait to see who they play in first round of the playoffs. As No. 1 seed, they will face the Western Conference No. 8 seed, which will be decided by the play-in tournament.

The loser of the No. 7 vs No. 8 play-in game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the LA Lakers will play the winner of the No. 9 v No. 10 game, which will see the Sacramento Kings take on the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunder, who have only ever won one NBA championship, in 1979, will start their playoff campaign on Sunday 21 April, with the time to be decided one their opponents are known.