The Thunder won the title last year and followed it up by winning 64 games this regular season despite all of the injuries. Oklahoma City has an ideal playoff path with Denver, San Antonio and Minnesota on the other side of the bracket, too. 

Optimism is highly warranted, but the champs are not perfect. Here are the biggest concerns for them heading into the 2026 playoffs. 

Although the Thunder finished the regular season ninth in three-point percentage and eighth in clutch three-point percentage, it certainly did not seem like the team was this successful. Oklahoma City often missed a ton of shots in big games and failed to capitalize on wide open looks. 

Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso are under the spotlight entering the playoffs since they combined to shoot 33.5% from deep this season. It’s crucial that this trio knocks down triples because they do not offer much else offensively and Oklahoma City needs them on the court to hound opposing stars. If they bounce back this playoffs, then defenses will be punished for sagging off of them to pack the paint. 

Chet Holmgren is another name to monitor. He shot a career-low 36.2% from beyond the arc this season but has been at 39.7% since the All-Star break. Holmgren’s shooting unlocks double-big lineups, so hopefully his post-break production is the new norm. 

It’s worth noting that Oklahoma City owns a 15-0 record in the playoffs when Holmgren shoots at least 33% from deep and a 7-11 record when he shoots less than 33%. Attempts don’t matter – it’s purely the percentage. Although there is probably a good deal of randomness to this stat, it highlights how important Holmgren’s efficiency may be. 

The Thunder scored 122.9 points per 100 possessions with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court this season compared to 113.7 points per 100 possessions when he took a breather. Jalen Williams only playing 33 games was definitely a factor, but Oklahoma City also needs to find more ways to score without its MVP. 

It would be wise for Ajay Mitchell to play during all of the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes because the sophomore is the team’s most reliable ball handler and playmaker outside of the stars. Perhaps Isaiah Joe or Jared McCain should almost always play during these minutes, too? 

If the Thunder figures out the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes, then good luck to the rest of the league. 

Isaiah Hartenstein holds down the glass, but it can be a concern when he rests. Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso are the Thunder’s best rebounders in the main rotation, so they need to box out and prevent second-chance points. 

Mark Daigneault may give Kenrich Williams some minutes if it becomes a problem because he’s a quality rebounder.