‘We’re all here’: Thunder fans rally in OKC for Game 5 watch party, ready for Game 7
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Hundreds of people packed downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday to cheer the Oklahoma City Thunder on for Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, in a best-of-7 series.
The Thunder hoped to close out their away game Thursday night with a win against the Denver Nuggets, assuring them a ticket to the Western Conference Finals. They couldn’t get it done in Denver, losing 107-119.
Fassler Hall, an Oklahoma City bar, transformed into Thunder Hall Thursday for a jam-packed watch party. Fans lined the walls, tables, and bar stools to watch the game play out across television screens.
News 4 crews noted lots of noise, with fans getting just as rowdy as you’d likely expect over at the Paycom Center. A loss Thursday night against the Nuggets forces a Game 7 back at home for the Thunder.
News 4 spoke with two fans who attended the watch party Thursday night, who normally don’t get to enjoy the action, working as suite attendants at Paycom Center. If Thursday’s game had been a home one, Amy Goodman and Sarah Santos told News 4 they would have had to work.
“I'm always taking care of my guests during the games,” said Goodman.
The away game gave Goodman and Santos a chance to enjoy the action surrounded by crowds of excited strangers.
“It’s just people coming together on common ground, and we're all here,” said Santos. “It’s pretty awesome because normally I’m working during this time and I don’t get to experience it. So we made it a point to all come up here tonight.”
Both ladies said they’d obviously be working if a Game 7 was forced, but were optimistic the Thunder could pull out a win. They said the team has been electric this season, making Oklahoma City proud.
“We are just so excited to be able to root for them,” said Goodman. “They’re my team.”