Starstruck In OKC

So far, going into 2025, there have been some teams that are absolutely rolling. One team
stands alone, currently riding a 15-game win streak: the Oklahoma City Thunder. This past
Sunday, I watched the Thunder take on the defending champs, the Boston Celtics, in a thriller.
OKC ended up coming out on top. This game was the ultimate test for the Thunder, as they’ve
been on an incredible streak but hadn’t faced the top team in the league until now. All that
needs to be said after the game is: watch out for the next five years.

For the majority of this year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been dominant on both ends of
the floor, landing them the #1 spot in the Western Conference with a 30-5 record. Without even
diving into the impressive stats, just off the eye test, the Thunder have one of the best defenses
of this era. They’re currently on pace to average more steals than turnovers, which is ridiculous.
They lead in every major defensive category, including defensive rating, opponent FG%, steals
(as mentioned earlier), and blocks. Their lineup can guard anyone on the floor, even though
they’re not the tallest unit out there. All of this is being done while the whole team has not
played more than two full games at full health. OKC’s star big man, Chet Holmgren, has only
played 10 games this season as he recovers from a hip injury. Fortunately for the Thunder,
Isaiah Hartenstein is back in action and making a huge impact as a passing big who excels in
the pick-and-roll. He’s also a strong rebounder, giving OKC more scoring opportunities. With the
addition of Alex Caruso in the offseason, it was no secret that extra firepower was coming to the
Thunder. It’ll be intriguing to see how they utilize their double big lineup, which I’m very excited
about.

Aside from their defense, offensively, they rank 8th in the league. A big reason for this is their
execution in half-court sets, creating scoring opportunities for players like their main scorer, Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander. The way SGA can take defenders off the dribble and get to his spot
anywhere on the floor is remarkable, especially considering he’s on pace to have one of the
most efficient seasons for a guard in recent memory. Averaging 31 points, 5 rebounds, and 6
assists on 50/36/89 splits, he’s on another level. SGA has the complete package: mid-range,
isolation, and now an increasingly reliable pull-up jumper from three. A 6’6” point guard with a
one-of-a-kind scoring ability who can also dish it out? That’s a GM’s dream. Critics might
complain about how often he gets to the foul line, but that’s just a high-IQ player understanding
the game and exploiting defenders who are caught off guard. During this 15-game win streak,
SGA has joined elite company—Michael Jordan, James Harden, and Stephen Curry—for
averaging 30+ points during such a streak. As SGA said last season when asked about his
consistency on the court: “My whole life is consistent.” If he keeps this up, you’re looking at a
future MVP. Debate that with a wall. (Unless you mention Nikola Jokić, but this is OKC time.)

With so many young, prominent players, J-Dub, aka Jalen Williams, stands out as an incredible
talent. He’s taken a leap as a shot creator. Plenty of my friends hyped him up, and they weren’t
wrong. In his third season, he’s averaging close to 21 points and 5 assists. While he’s not the
most explosive athlete, he counters defenses by using his strength to get to his spot and create
clean looks. Even off the ball, his movement and scoring have improved, along with his
basketball IQ. If you’re not already a believer, this is a future All-Star in the making.

Despite focusing on SGA and J-Dub, the pieces around them deserve mention too. Lu Dort has
been one of the league’s best perimeter defenders for years. At 6’4”, he may not sound like a
big forward, but his intangibles and defensive skills are elite. Imagine a linebacker guarding you
at the gym—only with IQ and awareness. Oh, and he’s shooting 40% from three, which is
impressive considering how much energy he expends on defense. Cason Wallace and Isaiah
Joe are also crucial to this young core. Wallace brings defensive tenacity and catch-and-shoot
ability, while Joe offers similar skills. Though their shooting percentages have dipped this
season, that’s expected given their defensive focus. With Chet sidelined, Jaylin Williams (not
J-Dub) has stepped up with pivotal minutes, despite dealing with his own injuries. If the Thunder
maintain this consistency all season, they could go down as one of the best defensive teams
ever. And the wildest part? They haven’t played many games fully healthy. The league is in
trouble.

Teams like the Thunder—or even the Rockets, who I’ve discussed before—have succeeded
through inexpensive rebuilding. Five years ago, if you were a Thunder fan seeing hope after
trading Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul, you’re a genius. Stockpiling picks and
developing talent has paid off big time, unlike teams that make poor decisions (cough Suns).

This week, the Thunder face a tall task in the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are 31-4 in the Eastern
Conference. Fun fact: both teams are undefeated against the opposing conference this season.
For those who don’t get it: the Thunder haven’t lost to an East team, and the Cavs haven’t lost
to a West team. Did I really need to explain that? Probably not, but oh well. This matchup on
Wednesday will be a close watch. Both teams are on streaks, but only one can grab that brass
ring. Future Finals preview? Too soon, or are we predicting the future?