The Oklahoma City Thunder have enjoyed the most promising start to a franchise season in a decade, generating excitement and anticipation for the rest of the season.

After a successful October, November, and In-Season Tournament, the Thunder face a challenging stretch of games in December. Despite the tough schedule, the Thunder have demonstrated their ability to come out strong, winning 12 of their first 18 games.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-caliber performances have led the Thunder's deep and surprising squad. With their strong start, the Thunder have set expectations for themselves. This season is not just about growth and development but also about team success and potentially earning a playoff berth.

December brings a series of games against Western Conference opponents, leaving no room for off-nights as the playoff picture becomes increasingly competitive. Beating Western Conference rivals not only means a win in the standings but also plays a crucial role in determining playoff seeding later in the season.

Here are three key matchups in December where the Thunder can make a statement and showcase their potential:

Wednesday, December 6th at Houston

The Oklahoma City and Houston rebuilds started around the same time, and both teams have emerged as exciting and productive young squads.

The Rockets are led by 2021 first-round pick Alperen Sengun, who is putting up near All-Star numbers as a rim-running center. The matchup between Sengun and rookie sensation Chet Holmgren would be an intriguing one to watch.

Sengun prefers to operate in the low post, where his outside shot is his biggest weakness. Holmgren has struggled at times against bigger and stronger players and has been drawn into fouls by clever moves, both of which Sengun excels at.

It will be interesting to see how a defensively dominant yet slender player like Holmgren handles a skilled post scorer and back-to-the-basket operator like Sengun.

Taking care of the ball will be crucial in this game, as both the Thunder and the Rockets rank among the top ten in fewest turnovers per game this season.

The most electrifying aspect of this matchup will be the two young cores facing off in a season where both teams have bigger aspirations and expectations. The Thunder will want to go into Houston and show the Rockets that they are the stronger team and the overall better team this season.

Despite the competitive nature of the matchup, it will be an entertaining one for NBA fans as both teams seem poised to move beyond their rebuilds and into a window of playoff success and contention.