Thunder aim for West No. 1, face weakened Mavericks

(Photo credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports)
The Oklahoma City Thunder were expected to make a leap this season.

With an up-and-coming core headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, plus the addition of Chet Holmgren, growth was expected from a team that made it to the NBA play-in tournament last year.

But heading into theregular-season finale Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks in Oklahoma City, the Thu