The Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer just the league’s feel-good up-and-comers - they’re now the defending champs with a 21-1 record and a 13-game win streak to back it up. And after Tuesday night’s 124-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, it’s becoming harder to ignore the echoes of past dynasties in what this Thunder team is building.
For Jalen Williams, the moment wasn’t lost. Standing on the court against a team he grew up watching dominate the NBA, the 23-year-old forward took a second to reflect on just how surreal it all felt.
“You grow up watching those teams,” Williams said postgame. “Then, years later, you look back - I’m watching them when we were stuck in Santa Cruz for Covid, and just my whole college career, you just watch them.
And now, we’re kind of emulating something that they were doing. It’s really cool.
It’s special.”
He’s not wrong. The Warriors of the mid-2010s set the standard for modern basketball - pace, space, unselfishness, defensive versatility - and the Thunder are starting to look like they’ve taken that blueprint and made it their own.
The difference? They’re doing it with a new generation of stars and a team-first mentality that’s as sharp as their talent.
Despite missing Stephen Curry, who sat out with a quad injury, and dealing with some inconsistency this season, the Warriors still came into the night 11-11 and tough to beat at home. But the Thunder didn’t flinch. Even after watching a 22-point second-half lead vanish, they regrouped and closed strong - a hallmark of great teams.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again the engine, pouring in 38 points on an ultra-efficient 13-of-21 shooting. He was lethal from deep (5-of-6) and steady at the line (7-for-10), controlling the game with the poise of a seasoned vet. Williams chipped in 22 points of his own, along with six assists and some solid defensive contributions - one steal, one block - in a performance that highlighted his two-way growth.
What’s striking about this Thunder group isn’t just their record - it’s how they’re winning. They’re deep, disciplined, and they play with a level of cohesion that’s rare for such a young core. That didn’t go unnoticed by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who praised OKC’s approach before the game.
“Overall, a team mindset of zero agendas. Just win every night,” Kerr said.
“Obviously, great talent. But I think high-IQ players.
The two teams you’re referring to that I was part of both had really, really high IQs individually and as a team.”
That’s high praise from a coach who’s seen what it takes to build a dynasty from the ground up. And it speaks to the culture Oklahoma City has cultivated - one where winning isn’t just about talent, but about trust, chemistry, and a shared vision.
Williams, for his part, isn’t taking any of this for granted. He knows these moments - facing off against legends like Curry and Draymond Green - won’t last forever.
“Obviously, Dray and Curry - they’re not going to be playing for that much longer,” Williams said. “So, it’s cool to get these opportunities to play them. It’s very surreal.”
The Thunder will look to keep their momentum rolling when they host the Mavericks on Friday. If they keep playing with this blend of maturity and fire, it won’t be long before the league stops seeing them as the next big thing - and starts recognizing them as the team to beat right now.