Oklahoma City’s Relentless Start Signals a Thunderous Repeat Bid
If there were any doubts about the Oklahoma City Thunder suffering from a championship hangover, those have been silenced-loudly. The defending champs have stormed out of the gate with a staggering 20-1 record, pairing that with an all-time point differential that’s turning heads across the league. This isn’t just a strong start-it’s the kind of historic dominance that puts you in rarefied air.
What’s remarkable is how little has changed. The Thunder are essentially running it back with the same core that hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy last season.
But don’t mistake continuity for complacency. This group has come back sharper, hungrier, and somehow even more locked in.
At the center of it all? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s playing like a man possessed.
Shai's numbers aren’t just MVP-caliber-they’re evoking comparisons to legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. And while those names carry weight, the way Shai is controlling games on both ends makes those comparisons feel more earned than exaggerated. He’s the engine, the tone-setter, and the guy who makes this Thunder team go from good to potentially generational.
And that’s what separates OKC from so many past champions. Usually, the season after a title is when the edge dulls.
The hunger fades just a bit. The foot eases off the gas.
But not here. This team isn’t coasting-they’re crushing.
Night after night, they’re stacking blowout wins and making it look routine. It’s not just about talent; it’s about mindset.
According to Chet Holmgren, that mindset was forged in the offseason-short as it was. While other teams might’ve spent the summer basking in champagne-soaked memories, the Thunder came back to work.
“We don’t have anybody on the team who’s sitting and reminiscing on what a great career they had,” Holmgren said. “I think everybody on the team is still chasing and striving for more. The championship wasn’t the last check on their bucket list.”
That hunger is showing. Even with injuries popping up-as they do in any NBA season-OKC hasn’t missed a beat.
Their depth, chemistry, and collective drive have kept them rolling. And what’s scary for the rest of the league?
This team isn’t just built to win now. They’re set up to contend for years.
It’s still early-there are 60 games left, as Holmgren reminded everyone-but the Thunder aren’t just defending a title. They’re building something bigger.
Something potentially era-defining. The kind of run that could place them alongside the dynasties we still talk about: Jordan’s Bulls, Curry’s Warriors.
“Guys just came out pumped and juiced to play basketball games. I know I did,” Holmgren added.
“It’s a long season. We still got 60 games left.
We got a long way to go, but we’re enjoying it.”
And that’s the thing-this team isn’t just winning; they’re having fun doing it. The joy, the focus, the swagger-it’s all there. If the Thunder keep this up, we may be watching the early stages of a dynasty in the making.