The key factor for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semifinals

While the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies easily in the first round, fans have witnessed great performances from their key players. We have not yet seen a standout game from Aaron Wiggins in OKC, but it is hoped he will do so in the second round of the playoffs.

Throughout most of the 2024-25 season, Aaron Wiggins' impact has benefited the Thunder. He has stepped up and delivered massive performances for OKC, showcasing his value when it mattered most.

With clutch baskets, timely threes, and quick plays, Wiggins has made a big leap for OKC this season. Dubbed "The man who saved basketball," Aaron Wiggins has earned a huge reputation among Thunder fans so far with his antics. Whether starting or coming off the bench, the shooting guard has been special in the Thunder's campaign towards 68 victories.

However, Wiggins only averaged 13.8 minutes in the four games against the Grizzlies, which ended in a sweep. Wiggins scored 9.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in the series with a 46.9% shooting accuracy. His best game came in the blowout win of the first game, where he scored 21 points with a 53.3% shooting percentage in 26 minutes of action.

But in the rest of the series, Wiggins totaled 28 minutes in the last three games. He even went scoreless in Game 3 but played only seven minutes in that stretch. Now that everything is said and done, fans are hoping to see more bursts from Wiggins in the second round.

OKC's potential opponent could end up being the Los Angeles Clippers or the Denver Nuggets. Both teams are the heavyweights at the moment, and this could be the series where we see Wiggins thrive.

Aaron Wiggins' Strengths

Against the Clippers, Wiggins averaged 12.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in four games, all of which were victories. What makes Wiggins a player to watch in this possible series is that the Clippers have many shooting guards. Wiggins would fit into almost any lineup OKC can present, meaning he will have more minutes. He would play a vital role in limiting LA's shooting guards like Kris Dunn or even Norman Powell.

Wiggins' game is also poised to dazzle fans in Denver, especially with the Nuggets lacking speedy offensive guards. This simply means that Wiggins will likely have scoring touches in a series against Denver due to their great lineup. Imagine him running alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for many minutes. His ability to shoot and defend simultaneously makes him a good matchup against Jamal Murray or even Michael Porter Jr.

Wiggins has averaged 12 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with 48.8% shooting in 22.9 minutes per night. He has taken a big leap forward with OKC, and everything points to the shooting guard continuing to grow. Wiggins could explode with a massive scoring night at any time, making OKC a very dangerous team.

This season has been impressive for Aaron Wiggins. The 26-year-old shooting guard has improved his stats and overall game. OKC has relied on him more than once this year, and that's one reason why he's a fan favorite. Against the Nuggets or the Clippers, Wiggins is poised for a great series with at least one standout game.

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