Overview
- Oklahoma City leads the West at 12-1 with a scoring margin reported around +14.4, outpacing last season’s record +12.9 differential.
- The Thunder own a league-best defense, with reports citing a 103 defensive rating and a 15.6 net rating early in the season.
- Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the NBA at about 32.5 points per game on strong efficiency.
- Scouts are openly discussing a 70-plus win season—one told ESPN the team “might win 80”—as a reflection of their dominance, not a prediction.
- Betting markets list OKC as +205 favorites to repeat and price a record chase at +1800 for 74+ wins, even as Jalen Williams remains out and depth pieces like Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and the Holmgren-Hartenstein tandem sustain results.