The Oklahoma City Thunder are acting like a team that plans to defend its championship without hesitation. Their season has opened with the same energy and confidence that carried them to the title, except now there is a sense of urgency in everything they do. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last year’s MVP, has picked up exactly where he left off, hitting new milestones at a pace that feels almost unreal.
Gilgeous-Alexander recently reached 93 straight games with at least 20 points, the second-longest streak in league history. The only player ahead of him is Wilt Chamberlain, whose 126-game record sits in a tier of its own.
Even so, SGA’s consistency has become the heartbeat of a Thunder team that is treating each night like another step toward something bigger.
OKC opened the season 8-0, stumbled once in a tight November loss to Portland, and then locked in completely. Twelve straight wins later, the Thunder are 20-1, becoming just the fourth team ever to start a season with 20 victories in their first 21 games. According to ESPN Stats & Info, only three teams in history have done it. Two of those teams went on to win the championship.
Thunder has struck OKC: A team that looks sharper than ever
From here, the story shifts from impressive to borderline intimidating. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in total points, free throws made, and free throws attempted while averaging 32.5 per game. His rhythm is steady, controlled, and disruptive for every defense he faces. Having Jalen Williams back certainly helps. The fourth-year guard returned last week and immediately made an impact in a 121-119 win over Phoenix.
Defense, though, is where Oklahoma City separates itself from the rest of the league. NBA.com’s advanced metrics list the Thunder as the top defensive team, holding opponents to just 106.7 points per game and posting the league’s best defensive efficiency rating at 101.7. Their offense isn’t far behind, ranking third in scoring at 122.2 points per game and fourth in offensive efficiency.
It’s the kind of balance that championship teams rely on, and OKC shows no signs of slowing down. The next major test comes Tuesday at the Chase Center, where they’ll face the Golden State Warriors. The matchup carries extra intrigue, considering the Warriors are part of the exclusive club the Thunder just joined with their 20-1 start.
Right now, Oklahoma City isn’t simply winning games. They are shaping a season that already feels historic.
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