It was already understood that the OKC Thunder have been off to a hot start to the 2025-26 season. However, following Sunday's 123-115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, they are now officially amid one for the record books.
Oklahoma City has become just the fourth team in league history to start a campaign with a 20-1 record or better through the first 21 games played, joining the 2015-16 Warriors, 1993-94 Rockets, and 1969-70 Knicks.
On its own, this feat is exciting on account of the fact that all three of these clubs would go on to reach the Finals during their respective years, suggesting that, if history is any indication, the Thunder's case for becoming the first team to repeat as NBA Champions since 2019 has now only grown stronger.
Of course, the most impressive part of this exclusive start to the season is that it appears that it really didn't take all that much effort for OKC to pull off.
Thunder effortlessly making history during title-defense tour
After putting forth a truly historic 2024-25 season that ultimately culminated in the franchise winning its first championship of the Sooner State era, the Thunder have somehow found a way to get even better during their title defense tour.
Not only do they lead the association in defensive (103.6) and net rating (15.3) by a considerable margin, but, as things currently stand, they are on pace to win a whopping 78 games, which would surpass Golden State's record-setting mark of 73.
The craziest part is, they've gotten off to this insane pace with Jalen Williams sidelined for all but two games. Now, even though he may be medically cleared to play, it's important to remember that he is well aware that he's "still a little rusty."
Even at sub full-strength, this Thunder team has proven capable of playing at an absurdly elite level.
The reason, outside of the fact that they've had the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising star big man Chet Holmgren holding down the fort without the All-NBA forward in tow, is that coach Mark Daigneault has a ridiculously deep depth chart filled with players who can be used in any plug-and-play fashion.
Despite their revolving door of lineups and regular shakeups to rotation configurations, Oklahoma City has managed to remain historically dominant.
This squad makes playing at this kind of pace look effortless, and, to a certain extent, it has been for them.
Without having yet played at 100 percent, the Thunder are already the far-and-away favorites to win the 2026 NBA Finals and have a rather realistic chance of breaking the all-time wins record.
It's truly frightening to think of how good they can be once fully intact.