The Oklahoma City Thunder have surprised many with a remarkable 20-1 start to their season, especially given the extensive injury challenges they have faced. Key players such as All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams, sharpshooter Isaiah Joe, and defensive stalwarts like Alex Caruso and Lu Dort have all missed significant time in the first 21 games. Despite these setbacks, the Thunder have excelled, boasting the best Defensive Rating and Net Rating in the league—numbers that, if maintained, could set new all-time records. This impressive performance puts them on track to potentially break the NBA’s single-season win record held by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who finished with a 73-9 record.
Ahead of their game against the Warriors, Golden State’s head coach Steve Kerr provided insight into the Thunder’s exceptional start. He emphasized the importance of a collective team mindset free of individual agendas, attributing their success to a combination of talent and high basketball intelligence. “It’s pretty remarkable what they’re doing,” Kerr remarked, acknowledging the Thunder’s remarkable cohesion and smart play.
While they are currently four games shy of equaling the Warriors’ 24-1 start, there may be a cautious approach from the Thunder as they focus on resting players toward the end of the season in preparation for playoffs. However, their current season is already historic, marking the best start in the franchise’s history.
Kerr also highlighted how a championship win often instills a deeper confidence in a team, enhancing their comfort and fluidity in executing plays. “They just got a little different swagger, a little different belief,” he noted, reflecting on how winning can lead to a greater sense of continuity and success in subsequent seasons.
The Thunder will take a short break before resuming action at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at the Paycom Center. With two below .500 teams on the horizon following this match, the Thunder are eager to continue showcasing their dominance in the league. Fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage from Thunder on SI as the team strives to defy the prevailing trend of parity in the NBA.