The Thunder nearly achieved NBA Cup glory, but they will now face the punishment for making it to the championship. After Oklahoma City lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 97-81 in Vegas on Tuesday, the league had zero games on Wednesday.

It was the Thunder's worst offensive performance. They struggled to get to 81 points. Nonetheless, the 83rd game doesn't affect the standings, so no harm, no foul. The league has decorated the NBA Cup as a prestigious event. ESPN hosted a pregame show that included Stephen A. Smith on the panel.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes there isn't "any excuse" for the OKC Thunder to not win an NBA championship this season.

The NBA deadline is less than two months away, meaning Oklahoma City has a limited period of time to make a deal if it wants to alter its roster.

Everything seems to be falling into place for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder this season. With the end of the year fast approaching, the Thunder (20-5) are leading the Western Conference standings.