Even champions can elevate their game. Discover how OKC can push boundaries, from player health to decisive matchups, for unparalleled 2026 success.
It's a tough ask to expect improvement from what saw out of the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. But one of the defining mantras of this team is "getting better day". The entire organization from Sam Presti to Mark Daigneault to each of the players have consistently spoken on stacking days so that the entire squad can enhance their abilities both individually and as a collective group.
So how can a team that just took home the NBA championship and won 68 games and broke the all time league record in point differential improve last year and is currently lapping the other 29 teams this season actually improve?
1. Jalen Williams continues to get healthy. First off, it should be noted that despite some of what you may read on social media, Williams is having a good season. And given the context of having offseason ligament surgery on his shooting wrist as well as a follow up procedure, it's not a stretch to say he's performing well above any reasonable expectations. That said, the All-NBA Second Team selection is still finding his rhythm and shooting touch. He is still making an impact on winning and contributing all over the stat sheet, but it's a testament to the talent of a fully healthy Williams that he's got another level or two he's capable of reaching. Once OKC's second All-Star (likely soon to be adding a third in Chet Holmgren) is fully back, his all around play makes the Thunder even more formidable. Williams is that dynamic and important of a player.
2. Get to the free throw line. This one may come as a shocker to anyone outside of Thunder fandom, but Oklahoma City was #26 in free throws attempted in the month of December. In stark contrast to the online discourse and NBA talking head narratives, OKC does not typically win the nightly free throw battle. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn't hit double digits in free throw attempts since December 5. It's the most efficient shot in basketball. And whether it be because of Chris Finch's technical tirade or social media pressure or pure coincidence or actual gameplay, the Thunder have not been getting to the line lately.
3. Beat the San Antonio Spurs. Look, Oklahoma City is 0-3 against the Spurs and 29-2 versus the rest of the NBA. OKC plays San Antonio on January 13 at The Paycom Center. That game was just flexed to a nationally televised game on NBC/Peacock. OKC plays San Antonio on February 4 at The Frost Bank Center. That game is nationally televised on ESPN. If the Thunder can win those two games with the whole NBA world watching, that would go a long way to easing the minds of all OKC fans. And it would show tangible improvement on the only real weakness the champs have shown all season.