Championship Campaign
When the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to win their first championship as a franchise, basketball fans around the world thought they saw the Thunder at their peak. Not only did the Thunder finish the season 68-14, have the MVP of the league (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), and the 7th best offense in the league, but they had the number one defense in the entire NBA too.
Photo Cred: NBC
Thunder general manager Sam Presti wasn’t going to let the Thunder fall out of championship contention. In the off-season he wouldn’t allow the Thunder to lose their key pieces to the run, re-signing Chet Holmgren, Jaylen Williams, and Jaylin Williams to rookie extensions, while keeping the rest of the core the same. Preparing for the season, the Thunder knew they would be without all-star Jaylen Williams, who tore a ligament in his wrist but continued to play during the playoffs, and knew they would have a chip on their shoulder. But beyond the haters doubt, Shai’s expectations always stay the same, “It would suck to lose the NBA championship in 2026. That’s the new focus. That’s the new goal.”
The 2025-2026 Season
The Oklahoma City Thunder started the new season in as dramatic of a way as possible; winning a double overtime thriller versus the Houston Rockets on opening day (aka Thunder Ring Ceremony) 125-124. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander had 35 points and Chet Holmgren had 28 points. Since then, there has been no slowing down, winning the next seven in a row to make the Thunder 8-0 and the number one team in the NBA so far.
They have one four of their eight games by more than fifteen points, and have continued to beat down on opponents. They have the fourth best offensive rating, an improvement from last season, and the best defensive rating in the NBA. Right when teams think they have a chance to pull away, the Thunder go on a run and show no mercy.
Photo Cred: Yahoo Sports
How?
In light of the Jaylen Williams injury, the Thunder have had a “next man up” mentality and so far everybody on the Thunder have had to elevate their roles to make up for his missing production, and everybody is doing their share. Shai is averaging over 30 points per game, Chet over 20. Hartenstein is averaging a double-double, and Ajay Mitchell is making a case for the most improved player.
After playing sparingly in the 2024-2025 season, only playing in 36 games and averaging six and a half points a game, Ajay Mitchell went into the offseason determined to grow into a bigger role as a leader on and off the court so he could get a bigger role. Since Jaylen Williams hasn’t played, Mitchell is taking full advantage. Coming in as the sixth man, averaging 26 minutes a game, Mitchell has exploded, averaging 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He is a physical defender and has a quick first step and great vision on offense to set up the easiest shot for the offense.
Photo Cred: CBS Sports
He has earned his right to be on the floor, and the Thunder are going to have a hard time keeping him off it. When Jaylen Williams comes back, the Thunder players individual stats will naturally deflate with another head needing the ball, but his defense will immediately be a perfect complement to the Thunder’s hot start to the season. The Thunder won 68 games last year, and once Williams is back, they have the potential to push for that number or even more.
