Green Country Thunder Fans Pack Out Tulsa BOK Center

Friday night was game night in downtown Tulsa.

The Thunder was in town to give Green Country a little taste of what it would be like to have our own NBA team.

This is the fourth time the Thunder has played in Tulsa.

Oklahomans may have their allegiances to OU, OSU, or others, but nothing unites Oklahoma like the Thunder.

There was a party going on outside the BOK Center and it was all for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"It's awesome in my hometown, you know. I like it. I'm excited for it," said Thunder fan Shaye McNamara.

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Every year, the Thunder plans at least one preseason match-up in Tulsa, and Friday night's game was in front of a sold out crowd.

"I love it. I wish they would come more. We watch every single game, if not, it's recorded. We love it," said Semico Jones.

Many northeastern Oklahoma fans would love to see a regular season game here, but unfortunately that's not an option.

"We do have a lease with the City of Oklahoma City at the Chesapeake Arena and that lease says that we have to play all of our regular season games in Oklahoma City," said the Thunder's Vice President of Corporate Communications, Dan Mahoney.

But Oklahoma City leaders said Green Country fans are part of the reason the Thunder is so successful.

"This is the state's team. We're not a big market, so it's going to take the entire state's support for this franchise to be viable long term," said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.

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"We have season ticket members up here. We have increased TV ratings up here. We have more sponsors from up here," said Mahoney. "That level of support, we are just amazed at and we're very, very appreciative."

Since seeing the Thunder in Tulsa is a rare thing, one fan made a huge sacrifice to support her favorite players.

Mackenzie Webb just had surgery and is still here to cheer on the Thunder.

"I did [have surgery] last Friday, but nothing can stop me come watch them," Webb said. "I'm excited. It's my first time and I love them, so it's really cool."