The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just survive the first half of the 2025-26 season - they owned it. Matching last year’s 35-7 record at the midway point, the defending champs have picked up right where they left off.
That’s no small feat when you’re wearing the target of reigning NBA champions and getting every opponent’s best shot night in and night out. After a dominant 24-1 start, a brief 6-loss stretch in 12 games looked like a stumble - but the Thunder quickly righted the ship with a five-game win streak to open the second half.
So, how much higher can they climb? Believe it or not, there’s still room to grow.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is front-running his third straight MVP race, Chet Holmgren is turning in All-Star-level production, and the supporting cast continues to evolve. Let’s dig into four key Thunder storylines as the second half of the season heats up.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The MVP Machine Rolls On
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came dangerously close to seeing his historic 20-point scoring streak snapped in Thursday’s 111-91 win over the Rockets - but he kept it alive, pushing the run to 112 games. He’s now just 14 games away from tying Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 126-game streak. Let that sink in: we’re talking about SGA breathing rarefied air alongside one of the game’s most iconic scorers.
But it’s not just the streak. Gilgeous-Alexander is putting together what might be the finest season of his career.
He’s averaging 31.6 points per game on a career-best 54.4% shooting, including 39.2% from three. Add in 6.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per night, and you’ve got a player who’s not just filling up the box score - he’s dictating the game on both ends.
Oklahoma City leads the league in point differential at +13.2, outscoring opponents by a staggering 12.9 points per game - a league record. And SGA is the engine behind it all.
He’s not just scoring; he’s defending, facilitating, and making the kind of plays that galvanize a team - like his emphatic block on Victor Wembanyama in a recent win. That’s the kind of all-around leadership that turns a great team into a potential dynasty.
Chet Holmgren’s Leap Is Real - And It’s Spectacular
Chet Holmgren didn’t waste any time celebrating his first NBA title. Less than two weeks after the championship parade, he was back in the gym, grinding.
That offseason work is paying off in a big way. Holmgren is averaging career highs across the board: 17.9 points, 57.5% shooting from the field, 37.4% from deep, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s anchoring the league’s best defense with a player defensive rating of 103.6, tops in the NBA. This is Holmgren’s first season drawing serious All-Star buzz, and his rise mirrors Jalen Williams’ breakout campaign a year ago - one that ended with All-NBA Third Team honors. Holmgren’s on a similar path, and watching it unfold is one of the most exciting subplots of the Thunder’s season.
Holmgren himself credits his offseason work, not just on his body but on the nuances of his game - from shot selection to floor spacing to transition play. He also emphasized the importance of adapting to teammates’ improvements, a subtle but crucial point as this young core continues to grow together.
The Twin Towers: Holmgren and Hartenstein’s Evolving Chemistry
Last season, Isaiah Hartenstein and Holmgren only shared the court for 20 regular-season games. This year?
Same number so far. But with 40 games left before the playoffs, the Thunder are banking on that chemistry continuing to build - and the early signs are promising.
When both seven-footers are on the floor, the Thunder’s defense ratchets up a level. The rim protection is elite, and offensively, they create matchup nightmares. Holmgren’s ability to space the floor with his improved shooting opens up lob lanes for Hartenstein, whose playmaking has quietly become a weapon in OKC’s arsenal.
Hartenstein has missed 11 straight games with a strained right calf, and in his absence, the Thunder’s rebounding issues have become more noticeable. That’s where his return will be critical. He brings physicality and presence inside, something OKC will need as the games get tighter and the playoff intensity ramps up.
Depth That Wins: The Thunder’s Second Unit Steps Up
One of the Thunder’s most underrated strengths? Their bench. Head coach Mark Daigneault has built one of the deepest second units in the league - a group that’s held its own despite injuries to key starters like Jalen Williams (missed the first 19 games), Lu Dort, and Hartenstein.
Kenrich Williams, Jaylin Williams, and Branden Carlson have all taken turns stepping into the starting lineup, and they’ve done more than just tread water. The Thunder’s depth has been a lifeline, and it’s also a luxury - Daigneault has at least three reserves who could start for a number of NBA teams.
Cason Wallace has emerged as a defensive force, tied with Kawhi Leonard for the league lead in steals per game (2.2) and second in deflections (4.5). He’s part of a perimeter trio with Dort and Alex Caruso that makes life miserable for opposing guards - and all three can shoot it, too.
The numbers back it up. The Thunder bench ranks fifth in made threes (6.6 per game) and leads the league in attempts.
Defensively, they’re fourth in total steals (173). Second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has been a revelation, posting 14.2 points on 48.4% shooting, with 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
His production has leveled out, but he’s still a key contributor night in and night out.
Final Word
The Thunder didn’t just win a title and rest on their laurels - they doubled down. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing the best basketball of his life, Chet Holmgren blossoming into a two-way star, and a bench that brings relentless energy and production, Oklahoma City looks every bit the part of a team ready to defend its crown.
And the scary part? They might just be getting started.