Stars shine, role players elevate. OKC Thunder's stunning success stems from surprising internal leaps, unlocking new offensive and defensive dimensions.
The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to evolve as one of the most complete and dynamic teams in the league, and a major reason for that growth is the internal development happening across the roster.
While established stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren continue pushing their games forward, several role players have also expanded their skill sets in meaningful ways. Together, these improvements have helped elevate the Thunder from a young contender into a more polished and versatile group capable of adapting to any style of game and is a big reason why they’re sitting at 13-1 right now.
One of the most noticeable developments has been Isaiah Hartenstein’s scoring aggression. Long known as a smart, physical defender and an elite connective passer from the center position, Hartenstein has added a new level of assertiveness around the rim.
He’s sealing deeper, finishing quicker, and taking advantage of smaller defenders in a way he wasn’t consistently doing earlier in his career. His ability to punish switches, roll with purpose, and attack gaps in the paint gives Oklahoma City a different look at the five. Something that has opened up lineups where Holmgren plays alongside him or rests entirely. That added aggression has lifted the ceiling of the Thunder’s interior offense and added valuable scoring depth with Jalen Williams out.
On the perimeter, Isaiah Joe has made real strides as an on-ball defender, an area that once held him back from consistent minutes in the playoffs. His footwork is tighter, he’s staying connected through screens, and he’s doing a much better job absorbing contact without fouling.
The shooting has always been elite, but now Joe is not a player opponents can easily target defensively. His ability to hold his own at the point of attack gives Mark Daigneault more flexibility in three guard lineups and allows the Thunder to maintain spacing without sacrificing defensive integrity.
Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren has unlocked a new level of playmaking and physicality. He’s reading double teams faster, hitting cutters with more precision, and making advanced skip passes that bend defenses in ways few 7-footers can replicate.
The physicality, whether it’s battling for deeper post position, fighting for rebounds in traffic, or absorbing contact on drives, is another massive step. Holmgren isn’t just enduring physicality anymore; he’s initiating it. That shift has helped him become a more reliable interior scorer and a more commanding presence defensively.
At the top of the roster, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s improved step-back three has become a new weapon that defenses must respect. For a player already elite at manipulating pace and living in the paint, adding a reliable off the dribble three creates an impossible dilemma for defenders.
Shade too far back and he burns you. Press up and he slices by you. The step-back has opened spacing for the entire offense and made late game possessions even more unguardable.
Finally, Cason Wallace’s growing playmaking has been a welcome development. Known for his defense and efficiency, Wallace is starting to take on more on ball creation responsibilities keeping dribble alive longer, probing deeper, and making advanced reads out of pick-and-rolls. His calm decision making makes him a natural fit in OKC’s ball-movement system.
Together, these improvements show a roster developing in sync, each player elevating the Thunder’s identity while adding layers to a team already built to win now and in the future.