As the second half of the 2025-26 NBA season tips off, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are right back where they left off - dominating. At 35-7, they’ve matched last season’s record through 42 games, and they’re doing it with a target on their backs. Every team is throwing their best punch, and yet, the Thunder keep landing theirs harder.
After a historic 24-1 start, Oklahoma City hit a brief speed bump, dropping six games in a 12-game stretch. But true to form, they’ve bounced back with a five-game winning streak, looking every bit the contender they were last June. And here’s the scary part for the rest of the league: they might not have hit their ceiling yet.
Let’s dive into four key Thunder storylines to watch as they chase another deep playoff run.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: MVP Form, Historic Streaks, and Still Climbing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is doing more than just leading the Thunder - he’s putting together a season that could etch his name in the record books alongside the legends. On Thursday, in a 111-91 win over the Rockets, SGA came within a hair of ending his 20-point scoring streak.
But he got just enough to keep it alive, extending it to 112 straight games - the second-longest in NBA history. He’s now just 14 games away from matching Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 126-game run.
Statistically, Gilgeous-Alexander is operating at peak efficiency. He’s averaging 31.6 points per game on a career-best 54.4% from the field, including 39.2% from three. Add in 6.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, and you’ve got a complete two-way force who’s not just scoring - he’s elevating everyone around him.
And it’s not just about the numbers. SGA is setting the tone defensively too. Just ask Victor Wembanyama, who was denied at the rim by Gilgeous-Alexander in a highlight-reel block that showcased the Thunder’s commitment on both ends.
Oklahoma City currently owns the league’s best point differential at +13.2, outscoring opponents by a record-setting 12.9 points per game. That’s not just dominance - that’s a team in full control of its identity and execution, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge.
2. Chet Holmgren’s Leap is Real - And It’s Spectacular
Chet Holmgren didn’t waste any time basking in the glow of his first championship. Less than two weeks after the parade, he was back in the gym - and it’s showing. Now in his third active season, Holmgren is delivering All-Star-level production across the board.
He’s averaging career highs in points (17.9), field goal percentage (57.5%), three-point shooting (37.4%), and rebounds (8.4), while also swatting away 1.9 shots per game. But it’s not just the numbers - it’s how he’s doing it.
Holmgren’s offseason work was comprehensive. He focused on body development, fine-tuning his shot, and becoming more effective in every area of the floor. And he’s taken that growth mindset into the season.
“Everybody worked on something over the summer,” Holmgren said. “Now it’s about learning how to play with each other as we all get better.”
That mindset is paying off. Holmgren currently leads the league in defensive rating (103.6), anchoring the Thunder’s elite defense while continuing to stretch the floor offensively.
His two-way impact is drawing comparisons to Jalen Williams’ breakout last season - a campaign that ended with All-NBA Third Team honors. Holmgren looks poised to follow a similar path.
3. The Holmgren-Hartenstein Duo: A Frontcourt Built to Break Opponents
It’s easy to forget that Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein only logged 20 regular-season games together last year. That’s exactly how many they’ve played together so far this season - and the chemistry is starting to click.
When both seven-footers are on the floor, Oklahoma City’s defense becomes a wall. Rim protection?
Check. Rebounding?
Much improved. Offensively, Holmgren’s shooting opens up the floor, while Hartenstein brings a crafty playmaking element that fits perfectly alongside the Thunder’s dynamic guards.
Hartenstein’s absence - now at 11 straight games due to a strained right calf - has forced the Thunder to lean on their depth. But once he’s back, expect the Thunder to tighten up their rebounding margins and unlock even more lineup versatility. His return could be the final piece in what’s already the league’s most balanced attack.
4. Depth That Doesn’t Just Survive - It Wins
Mark Daigneault has built one of the deepest rotations in the league, and that depth has been tested early and often. Jalen Williams missed the first 19 games.
Lu Dort has battled multiple injuries. Hartenstein’s been sidelined.
And yet, the Thunder keep rolling.
Why? Because their bench isn’t just deep - it’s dangerous.
Cason Wallace has emerged as a defensive menace in the backcourt. He’s tied with Kawhi Leonard for first in steals per game (2.2) and ranks second in deflections (4.5), according to NBA.com. He joins Dort and Alex Caruso to form a trio of guards who can shut down just about anyone.
And they can shoot, too. Oklahoma City’s bench ranks fifth in made threes (6.6 per game) and leads the league in attempts.
Defensively, they’re fourth in total steals (173), with sophomore guard Ajay Mitchell contributing 57 of those. Mitchell’s breakout campaign has cooled slightly, but he’s still putting up 14.2 points on 48.4% shooting, with 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
Even when the starters are off the floor, the Thunder don’t let up. That’s a luxury few contenders have - and it’s a big reason why Oklahoma City looks every bit like a team ready to defend its crown.
Final Word
The Thunder aren’t sneaking up on anyone this year - they’re the hunted. But through 42 games, they’ve shown they’re more than up for the challenge. With an MVP-caliber star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a rising All-Star in Chet Holmgren, elite two-way depth, and a coaching staff that knows how to maximize every piece, Oklahoma City looks poised to make another run at the title.
And if they keep trending upward? The rest of the league might be in trouble - again.