The Oklahoma City Thunder: Are We Watching the Greatest Team Ever?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are rewriting the rules of dominance in the NBA. At 24-1, they’re tied for the best start in league history. But it’s not just their record that’s turning heads—it’s how they’re doing it. With a staggering +17.2 net rating, the Thunder aren’t just winning games; they’re obliterating opponents in a way that has never been seen before. Their dominance has sparked conversations about whether this team could go down as the greatest in NBA history.
While it might seem premature to crown them just 25 games into the season, the Thunder’s achievements so far are undeniably historic. They’re not just beating teams—they’re dismantling them, and they’re doing it with a combination of suffocating defense, unprecedented scoring efficiency, and unparalleled depth. Let’s break down why the 2026 Thunder might be the best team we’ve ever seen.
A Record-Breaking Start
The Thunder’s 24-1 record is tied for the best start in NBA history through 25 games. But their dominance goes far beyond wins and losses. Their +17.2 net rating—the difference between points scored and points allowed per 100 possessions—is not only the best in the league this season, but it’s also on pace to shatter the all-time record. For context, the 1996 Chicago Bulls, widely regarded as one of the greatest teams ever, had a +13.4 net rating during their 72-10 season. The gap between the Thunder and those Bulls is the same as the gap between the Bulls and the 20th-best team in NBA history.
This dominance is even more impressive considering the adversity the Thunder have faced. They’ve played most of the season without Jalen Williams, an All-NBA player last year, and have still managed to go 18-1 in his absence. For comparison, other teams missing an All-NBA player this season have a combined record of 47-50. The Thunder’s ability to thrive without key players is a testament to their depth and resilience.
Their only loss this season came in a game where they were missing not only Williams but also Chet Holmgren, who is playing at an All-NBA level, Lou Dort, a perennial starter, and Alex Caruso, arguably the best defensive guard in the league. Even then, they lost by just two points in a game they probably should have won. That’s how close they’ve come to perfection.
A Defense for the Ages
The Thunder’s defense is the backbone of their success. They currently boast a defensive rating that is 12.3 points better than the league average. That’s not just the best in the NBA this season—it’s the best relative defensive rating in NBA history, surpassing even the legendary 1964 Boston Celtics. The gap between the Thunder and the second-best defense this season is larger than the gap between the second-best defense and the 24th-ranked defense. In other words, they’re in a league of their own.
What makes their defense so special? Depth. The Thunder have five players—Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Lou Dort, Jalen Williams, and Cadet Johnson—who are legitimate All-Defensive Team candidates. No team in NBA history has ever fielded such a deep collection of elite defenders. Their combination of speed, length, physicality, and basketball IQ allows them to shut down opposing offenses in ways that seem almost unfair.
The Thunder excel at eliminating dribble penetration, forcing turnovers, and protecting the rim. They allow the fewest attempts at the rim in the league and hold opponents to the lowest field goal percentage in that area. Holmgren, in particular, has been a revelation as a rim protector, anchoring a defense that feels impenetrable.
Their ability to force turnovers is another key to their dominance. The Thunder lead the league in opponent turnover rate, generating 25 points per game off turnovers—the most in the play-by-play era. These turnovers fuel their transition offense, giving them easy scoring opportunities and making their defense even more valuable.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Perfect Offensive Engine
While the Thunder’s defense is historic, their offense is just as impressive, thanks in large part to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 27-year-old guard is having one of the most efficient scoring seasons in NBA history. Among players who have averaged at least 30 points per game, Shai currently holds the best two-point percentage, three-point percentage, effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentage. He’s scoring at a level of efficiency that has never been seen before.
Shai’s ability to create his own shot is unparalleled. He leads the league in self-created offense, with a 100th-percentile true shooting percentage on self-created attempts. Despite carrying a massive offensive load, he averages just 1.8 turnovers per game—the fewest of any player in NBA history to score 30 points per game. Every possession with Shai on the ball is a high-quality scoring opportunity.
What’s even more remarkable is that Shai is putting up these numbers while playing just 33 minutes per game due to the Thunder’s frequent blowouts. On a per-possession basis, he’s scoring the second-most points in NBA history. His ability to dominate inside the arc and get to the free-throw line makes him one of the most consistent scorers the league has ever seen.
Shai’s consistency is perhaps best illustrated by his streak of consecutive 20-point games, which is the longest by any guard in NBA history. In the clutch, he’s been unstoppable, leading the league in clutch points per game with absurd efficiency. In 10 clutch games this season, Shai has scored 87 points with just one turnover. His ability to value every possession and deliver in high-pressure situations makes him the ultimate closer.
Unmatched Depth and Resilience
The Thunder’s depth is a significant reason for their dominance. They have seven or eight players who could reasonably be considered top-100 talents, and their rotation goes 11 players deep. This depth allows them to maintain their high level of play even when key players are out of the lineup.
Their bench has been so effective that the Thunder have a +16 net rating in minutes without Shai on the court, excluding garbage time. While their offense takes a hit in those minutes, their defense remains so dominant that they continue to outscore opponents by a wide margin. This depth ensures that the Thunder are never at a disadvantage, regardless of injuries or foul trouble.
Unprecedented Consistency
What truly sets the Thunder apart is their consistency. In an era where three-point shooting variance often leads to unpredictable results, the Thunder have proven to be immune. Even when they shoot under 35% from beyond the arc—a mark that typically spells doom for most teams—they are 10-0. Their ability to win regardless of shooting performance gives them one of the highest regular-season floors in NBA history.
The Thunder’s consistency extends to close games as well. They are 9-1 in clutch situations, boasting a league-best +41 clutch net rating. Their defense ranks second in the league in clutch situations, while their offense is the most efficient by a wide margin. With Shai leading the way, the Thunder are nearly unbeatable in close games.
A Team Built for Sustained Success
As dominant as the Thunder have been this season, the scariest part is that they might still be getting better. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is only 27 and continues to improve every year. Cadet Johnson, one of their key defenders, is just 23 and has significant upside. The team’s depth is bolstered by a treasure trove of young talent on team-friendly contracts, as well as a stockpile of future draft picks.
The Thunder’s front office, led by Sam Presti, has built this team with a combination of shrewd drafting, player development, and strategic trades. Their success is a testament to organizational excellence, and their future looks just as bright as their present.
Can They Be the Greatest?
The question remains: Are the 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder the greatest team in NBA history? Through 25 games, they’ve been more dominant than any team we’ve ever seen, including the 2016 Golden State Warriors and the 1996 Chicago Bulls. They’re on pace to break records for wins, net rating, and point differential, and they’ve done it while missing key players for significant stretches.
However, regular-season dominance alone doesn’t make a team the greatest of all time. The true test will come in the playoffs, where the Thunder will need to match the postseason supremacy of teams like the 2017 Warriors, widely regarded as the most talented team ever assembled.
Still, the 2026 Thunder have all the ingredients of an all-time great team. They have a historically elite defense, an offensive superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a deep, versatile roster. If they can carry their regular-season dominance into the playoffs and win a championship, the conversation about their place in history will become unavoidable.
For now, one thing is clear: the Thunder are redefining what dominance looks like in the NBA. Whether or not they end up as the greatest team ever, they’re already one of the most remarkable teams we’ve ever seen. And if they keep this up, they might just force us to rewrite the history books.
