Despite recent stumbles, OKC's elite record, historic point differential, and championship pedigree prove they remain the league's dominant force.
Oklahoma City Thunder fans had been living their absolute best life over the past 6 months.
From the team's first NBA championship in June to the ensuing celebration and parade to Opening Night ceremonies to blazing out to a blistering 24-1 start this season to talk of a back to back MVP winner and the all-time wins record, it's been a half year of fanbase bliss.
And all that came to a screeching halt in the NBA Cup Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. A game that was supposed to be a formality in pursuit of settling last year's only unsettled business turned into a precursor of the most turbulent two weeks of Thunder fandom of the past two seasons. Since that Cup loss, OKC has dropped a heartbreaker on the road to the Wolves and the squad's only two blowout losses of the year. Both to those same Spurs.
In the 12 days of Christmas since that defeat in Vegas, the chatter of "best team ever" has shifted to "Thunder have a Spurs problem". Social media, always chomping at the bit to tear down any perceived heavy title favorite, has circled like vultures on any OKC Thunder content.
But take heart, Thunder fans. That's still a pretty good team you are cheering. As a matter of fact, it's still the best team in the league. With all the hot takes out there making it tough for an OKC enthusiast to scroll through any of the apps, I've got a few facts to try to help lighten any stress or worry about your squad.
1. Thunder still have the best record in the league. Yeah, breaking the 2016 Warriors' 73 win season is probably off the table now, but 26-5 is still the top mark in the NBA. As fun as making history is to talk about, at the end of the day, securing the #1 seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs is priority #1.
2. Thunder still have a historic point differential. Last year's title team had one of the greatest margins of victory in history with a +12.9. Point differential is considered one of the best predictors of championship teams. And this year's squad is a full point better than last season's at +13.9.
3. Thunder still are not at full strength. Jalen Williams is obviously not himself as he continues to work his way back from offseason wrist ligament surgery and a follow-up procedure. Ajay Mitchell, proven to be an important piece of this year's success, missed the Spurs blowouts due to concussion protocol.
4. Thunder can play better. Some of it may be fatigue due to playing five games in eight nights. A bit could be shooting variance, both negative for OKC and positive for San Antonio. Defensive intensity and physicality, trademarks of this Thunder team, have been brought with greater force by the Spurs. It's possible getting used to being the hunted instead of the hunter plays a part. But as excellent as the Wolves and Spurs were in their wins, and they certainly played great, we've seen this OKC team play much better than their recent form.
5. Thunder are still the defending champs. And until a team proves to be better than OKC in April, May or June of 2026, that will remain the case. No matter what any Tweet or meme or Tik Tok might say.