Sports podcaster talks Thunder’s historic NBA Finals run, Coco Gauff at French Open

As the Oklahoma City Thunder gear up for a historic NBA Finals run, fans across the state are embracing the team’s youthful energy, growing legend, and underdog rise with renewed excitement and maybe even a few barks.

Amy Siegfried, a local sports podcaster and host of Last Night’s Game, joined News On 6 to share insights on the Thunder’s playoff push, as well as some surprising trivia that even die-hard fans might not know.

Youngest Finals Starting Lineup In NBA History

The Thunder’s starting five isn’t just talented — they’re record-breaking.

“This is the youngest team in the league this year,” Siegfried said. “Average age of 24.2 years old and the youngest starting lineup in NBA history.”

Their opponent, the Indiana Pacers, brings their own notable stat: they’ve never won an NBA title. They won another type of championship in the ABA, but they have not won an NBA championship.

Interestingly, while the Thunder franchise has one championship from its Seattle SuperSonics days, it has never claimed a title under the Oklahoma City name.

No Big Three? No Problem

This year’s Finals mark a continued shift in the league’s power structure.

“It’s the second season in a row that neither LeBron James, Steph Curry, nor Kevin Durant are playing in the NBA Finals,” Siegfried said. “But we have the one big name in SGA,” referring to Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

With an entirely homegrown roster built through the draft rather than blockbuster trades, both Finals teams are a testament to long-term team building, or as Siegfried puts it, “made up kind of in an oven scenario versus a microwave.”

A Fanbase Known For Barking — Literally

While OKC fans are widely known for their loyalty, they’ve also earned a label: the barkers.

“If you’re a fan at the game, you might be hearing some barking,” Siegfried said. “It’s not just because they love dogs. A reporter once said the team had a ‘dog mentality,’ and it stuck.”

Contrary to popular belief, the team name “Thunder” wasn’t fan-selected. “It was chosen internally,” she said.

And while the fanbase is famously loud, they don’t hold the Guinness World Record for loudest crowd at an NBA Finals game.

Ticket Prices Drop Ahead Of Game One

Getting into Paycom Center isn’t cheap, but prices have come down since initial sales.

“Overall, the tickets are expensive,” Siegfried said. “But overall, they’re down 25% for an NBA Finals. You can get in for around $1,000 for two people.”

For fans willing to take a risk, she said prices may dip closer to tip-off. “If you want to brave the weather, head that way, but it’s always a gamble.”

Across The Pond: Coco Gauff Carries U.S. Hopes In Paris

While basketball dominates headlines in Oklahoma, the French Open is heating up abroad.

On the women’s side, American Coco Gauff is competing against French fan-favorite Loïs Boisson, a Grand Slam debut made more dramatic by her comeback from a torn ACL.

“Everyone is cheering for her,” Siegfried said, “but we’re cheering for Coco.”

As the Finals tip off, fans will be watching and maybe barking with pride. Whether it’s a new generation of basketball stars or a surprising tennis underdog, Oklahoma is finding itself at the center of some unforgettable sports moments.