What Grade Did OKC Thunder Receive on 'Report Card' After Stellar Start to the Season?
After being one of the surprise teams in the NBA last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have picked up right where they left off.
Like last season, they currently sit at the top of the Western Conference standings. The Thunder hold a 19-5 record this season and have also won eight of their last 10 games, including four straight.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have one of the NBA’s top defenses. Even with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein yet to be available at the same time, Oklahoma City has continued to dominate their opponents on the defensive side of the ball and Luguentz Dort has turned himself into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate early on.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drives with the ball as Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie defends at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 29, 2024.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Thunder’s offense has also been elite this season. They average 115.8 points per game as a team, thanks in large part to Shai averaging 30.2 points himself. Jalen Williams has also taken another step forward this season as he is averaging 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
With Oklahoma City’s hot start to the season, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale gave them an A- on their NBA report card. Favale credited the Thunder as an organization despite the team missing two key players for most of the season.
“Propping up the league's best defense and remaining on a 60-plus-win pace when Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein have yet to be available for the same game is...completely on-brand for the Oklahoma City Thunder,” wrote Favale.
While Favale did credit the Thunder, he also pointed out a key area of weakness.
“Its biggest wart remains treading water on offense independent of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, even with continued progression from J-Dub,” wrote Favale. “Expecting the Thunder to thrive without a top-three MVP candidate is somewhat oxymoronic. But its current offensive structure even with SGA may not yet be playoff-proof.”
While the Thunder have relied too heavily on Shai on the offensive end, they have had other players like Williams step it up. They should also have Holmgren back for their playoff run, who is a great scorer and can take the pressure off Shai. Either way, this team is built to win for many years to come and this season may be their best shot to win it all.
