SGA, Thunder embrace 'whatever it takes' mentality entering playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder feel primed for a deep playoff run as they begin their second consecutive postseason as the No. 1 seed in the West.

"We have a 'whatever it takes' mentality," Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander told Athlon Sports' Mark Medina. "The goal is to win. However you get it done, it's a step in the right direction. It's going to look ugly at times. It's going to look pretty at times. We want to be a team that gets it done regardless."

Gilgeous-Alexander added, "I've understood the game inside the game. I've understood the mental aspect of the game and how to approach every day. The skill is what everyone is after. It's fun and pretty in the summertime. You work on new things and try to put them in the game. But the mental part is what I found really sets you apart and helps you take leaps."

OKC dominated the regular season as they put together the second-best net rating in NBA history, trailing only the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, en route to a franchise-record and league-best 68 wins.

"I never come into the season with any expectations," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said. "I have learned with this team not to put a ceiling on them. They've shown time and time again their ability to be uncommon."

Daigneault's squad hangs its hat on defense with a top-ranked 106.6 defensive rating. The Thunder are first in opponent field-goal percentage (43.6%), opponent 3-point percentage (34.2%), and opponent points in the paint (42.5).

Injuries to Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein during the season didn't hamper Oklahoma City's defensive prowess.

"That's probably the most important thing for us as a team - that everybody is stepping into their own whenever the time calls for them," two-time All-Defensive team selection Alex Caruso said.

The Thunder will have home-court advantage throughout the postseason. They're set to face the winner of Friday's play-in game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks, who eliminated Oklahoma City in the second round of the playoffs last year.

Game 1 is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.