OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – NOVEMBER 12: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks for an opening against Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Paycom Center on November 12, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
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Despite entering the season with numerous injuries, including one to Jalen Williams, the Thunder’s second-best player, the team got out to an incredibly hot start as the attempt to repeat as champions got underway. Oklahoma City opened the season 8-0 before heading into Portland for the ninth game of the year against a much-improved Trail Blazers team.
And early in that game, it looked like the Thunder was going to go 9-0 and keep the undefeated streak alive. OKC was up 22 points in the first half but allowed Portland to chip away at the lead, get back in it, and ultimately turn it into a close contest down the stretch. The Thunder had a chance to win it on the final possession but wasn’t able to get it done and fell to 8-1.
Any time you’re the reigning champion, every game feels like it has additional pressure because of the target on your back and the fact that you’re getting every team’s best punch. And although the Thunder was still 8-1 at that point, still first in the Western Conference, and still holding the best record in the NBA, it did feel like a game in which the Thunder looked beatable.
As good as this team is, it often doesn’t feel very beatable. This group has a mode and a gear it can tap into where it looks outright invincible. When the defense is clicking like it always does, and the offense is also clicking that same night — which has more variance — this team is nearly impossible to beat given its roster composition, two-way talent and star upside.
But after that first loss in Portland, after blowing the 22-point lead, the conversation shifted to how OKC would respond. A lot of teams that win a championship experience a hangover the next season. That’s a big part of why there hasn’t been a repeat champion in quite some time. But the Thunder’s bounceback over the last four games since that loss has been nothing short of dominant.
Since losing to Portland, Oklahoma City has beaten the Kings by 31 points, followed that by taking down the Grizzlies by 14, a game that actually required a bit of a comeback after a sluggish start, then beat the Warriors by 24. Most recently, on the second night of a back-to-back against a Lakers team that’s clearly a contender, OKC absolutely dismantled them. The Thunder led by 32 at halftime and ultimately ran away in a blowout.
The point differential since that loss has been nothing short of incredible a 24.5 points over this stretch. This team has reached a different gear.
The offense is finally clicking to go along with the defense, and suddenly this team looks like it could win 70-plus games. After winning 68 last year, the Thunder somehow looks even better as continuity continues to shine and chemistry takes another leap as this young core organically grows. And with players like Ajay Mitchell having breakout seasons, it’s been special to watch.
Now OKC sits at 12-1, by far the best record in the NBA, and still hasn’t gotten a single minute from Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren has missed a handful of games. Lu Dort has missed the last few on this four-game bounce-back stretch. And still, the 12-1 mark is impressive as it gets. ‘
Realistically, this team probably should be 13-0 if it hadn’t blown that 22-point lead. The Thunder is a much better team than Portland, but the response to that loss has been just as impressive as the 8-0 start.
With the offense finally coming around and the overall roster looking complete, Oklahoma City now enters a slate of games in which it should be heavy favorites before a tougher mini-stretch arrives about a week from now. There’s a very real chance the Thunder gets to 15 or 16 wins before taking its next loss. And at this point, anything’s on the table with how special this team is.