From blueprint to banner: the rise of a complete franchise
When the final horn sounded on June 22, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder closed out a seven-game NBA Finals thriller and delivered the franchise’s first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City. It was the culmination of a multi-year plan that married patient drafting, aggressive roster construction and a culture designed to grow rather than buy contention — and it left the league with a new standard-bearer.
A five-star opener to a title defense
In the early weeks of the 2025–26 NBA season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have made a resolute statement: they intend to defend, not merely celebrate. At 7–0, they sit atop both the Northwest Division and the Western Conference standings, maintaining the same air of invincibility that carried them to the championship last year. Their offense is humming, their defense remains stout, and the pieces that delivered last June appear newly sharpened.
Carrying forward the chemistry
That cohesion is not happenstance. Oklahoma City entered this season with nearly its full championship roster intact, electing continuity over dramatic overhaul. Their coaching, front office, and roster did not indulge in a gut rehab; instead, they fine-tuned what worked, kept what mattered, and reinforced trust across the club.
When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed his record extension this offseason, it was as much a signal of stability as of faith in his mastery. That deal freed both player and organization to focus on continuity. Chet Holmgren also penned a fully guaranteed extension, locking down another pillar of the core and affirming the Thunder’s belief in growth over replacement.
Statistical firepower and defensive steel
Through seven games, OKC is averaging 122.1 points per game while allowing 109.7 — a point differential that still places them among the elite in margin dominance. Offensively, they rank sixth; defensively, they are a baseline checkpoint: opponents score just 109.7 per game, placing Oklahoma City second in that category league-wide. Their converted defensive rating, rebounding edge, and consistent ability to force turnovers maintain the way they negate high-scoring opponents.
Individually, Gilgeous-Alexander has launched himself into MVP form once more. He is averaging 33.6 points and 5.9 assists, serving as both engine and torchbearer. His scoring outbursts — including multiple 30-point games to open the season — have ignited **Oklahoma City**’s starts. In the paint, Isaiah Hartenstein has quietly become a rebounding and rim presence force, illuminating the value of his role next to Holmgren.
Holmgren — when healthy — remains the roster’s wild card. His mobility as a shot-blocker, ability to stretch the floor, and disrupting instincts give OKC a defensive fulcrum. In one game this season, he buried six threes while tallying 12 rebounds — proof of his evolving stretch big capabilities. His presence forces opponents to rebalance offensive spacing and run offense with extra caution. That threat alone already influences schemes before tipoff.
Adjusting to new challenges
Even champions must contend with evolving threats. Opponents will shade double teams on Gilgeous-Alexander more aggressively, especially early in the season when scouting reports proliferate. As such, **Oklahoma City**’s playbook is revealing tactical depth: more off-ball cuts, more slip screens and early ball movement to combat congestion. The Thunder are not banking on identity inertia; they are leaning into adaptability.
Depth will also be tested. Injuries are part of the calendar, and questions about Holmgren’s durability persist. Bench contributors like Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Jaylin Williams must deliver continuity when starters rest. Already, in matchups where rotation shifts, those role players are proving they understand the margin matters.
One sobering moment came off the court: young guard Nikola Topic was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer and is undergoing treatment. A 2024 first-rounder, Topic missed last season with injury and appeared poised to contribute more this year; now, his health journey looms over the team’s emotional terrain. The Thunder’s response, both in presence and tone, will test the depth not just of their rotation but of their character.
Why early trends support a defense
The best teams start fast, and Oklahoma City has done exactly that. Seven wins, dominant margins, and elite ratings on both ends of the court aren’t flukes. They reflect a matured roster, locked-in coaching, and a star who is thriving under pressure.
They also carry lessons from last season: the Thunder were not the flashiest champions, but they were among the most consistent. They swept early rounds, weathered gritty series, and their 68–14 regular season record was paired with one of the greatest point differentials in NBA history. That baseline of dominance sets a high floor this season.
Given how they’ve started, Oklahoma City is more than a defending champion; they have become the team to beat. The mission ahead is simple in statement but punishing in execution: withstand every adjustment, sustain health, find fresh sparks, and make the deep run inevitable. If their early form is a bellwether, the Thunder may not just defend — they might define their dynasty.