Russell Westbrook, Billy Donovan Comment on Thunder's Loss to Warriors

A long summer lies ahead for the Oklahoma City Thunder after the team fell one win shy of reaching the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City not only defeated the 67-win San Antonio Spurs in six games in Round 2 but also came close to halting the 73-win Golden State Warriors' quest toward history before losing the Western Conference Finals in seven games.

After taking a step forward this year, the Thunder realize what they need to do going forward.

“I thought the [Golden State] series forced our guys to dig down deeper,” head coach Billy Donovan said, per Berry Tramel and Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman. “I think we can dig down even deeper. The more you get challenged and pushed like that, I think the more you have a chance to grow and flower. So that's what it is to me.”

Donovan's first year as an NBA head coach was a major success. The Thunder won 55 regular-season games and made it to their first conference finals since 2014. He also benefited from coaching two All-Stars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Westbrook spoke about what the team has to work on moving forward, per Tramel and Mayberry:

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Mental toughness. I think we've gotten very, very well at that point, but I think to make the next step, we have to constantly do that throughout the whole season, not just late in the playoffs, because I thought we turned the page when it got to this time of year, but I think if we constantly keep that from start to finish, it makes it easier for us in certain situations.

"

The Thunder would be playing in the Finals if they had closed out Game 6 against Golden State. They displayed mental toughness by taking care of business in Games 3 and 4 of that series but couldn't finish the job in Game 5, 6 or 7.

If Durant, who will be a free agent in the summer, comes back to Oklahoma City, the Thunder could be a favorite to win next year's title.