Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Dominance Sets the Thunder Apart
The Oklahoma City Thunder are making a compelling case for supremacy in the NBA this season. With a remarkable 19-1 record, they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, leaving rivals scrambling for a distant second place. Their only blemish—a narrow 121-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on November 5—does little to diminish their standing.
Early Season Challenges
The Thunder’s tightest contest came during their opening night against the Houston Rockets, a matchup that showcased both teams’ potential. Oklahoma City edged out a win in double overtime, finishing 125-124, but not without a fight from the Rockets, who are quickly establishing themselves as a formidable contender. Despite starting the season 0-2, Houston has rebounded impressively, going 12-2 over the past five weeks. Their performance has propelled them to the third seed in the Western Conference, bolstered by the NBA’s second-best offensive rating at 122 and a commendable defensive rating of 111.1.
Thunder’s Unmatched Dominance
Yet, even with Houston’s rise, the Thunder are in a league of their own. Oklahoma City leads the league with the best defensive rating at 103.4, while their offensive statistics, though not in the top three, do not accurately reflect their effectiveness. The true engine behind this dominance is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is putting up an impressive average of 32.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
What’s striking is how little Gilgeous-Alexander needs to be on the court to secure victories. In 20 games this season, he has only played the final 12 minutes in nine of them, averaging just 7.2 minutes in those crucial moments. Often, his presence in the fourth quarter is merely to seal the deal before crunch time arrives. Rarely does he need to exert himself past the five-minute mark, a testament to the Thunder’s commanding leads in most of their games.
A Still-Forming Powerhouse
The Rockets may be eyeing a potential playoff showdown, especially after their spirited contest on opening night, but when it comes to the best team in the league, it’s hard to argue anyone can match the Thunder’s prowess. Compounding the challenge for their opponents is the fact that the Thunder have yet to unleash their full potential. Jalen Williams, an All-Star and vital component of last season’s championship run, was absent until a recent victory over the Phoenix Suns on November 28. His return adds another layer of depth to an already formidable squad.
The Road Ahead
While the Rockets might present a challenge in a seven-game series down the line, for now, they—and the rest of the NBA—are left to vie for a position behind the Thunder. As Oklahoma City looks toward a potential championship repeat, the question remains: can anyone truly compete with their current level of dominance? The answer, for the moment, appears to be a resounding no.
