The Oklahoma City Thunder are likely going to finish this regular season with a slightly worse record than last year’s team. But through 77 games, they’ve shown something that matters more. This is a more complete team than the one that won the title.
Of course, the comparison is easy to make. Last year, OKC went 68-14. This year, they sit at 62-16 through 78 games. On paper, that’s a step back. But that doesn’t tell the story. Injuries have defined this season. What was once a strength during their championship run, health, has been the biggest disruptor this year.
Games missed this season (OKC):
Jalen Williams — 46
Alex Caruso — 24
Ajay Mitchell — 23
Aaron Wiggins — 17
Jaylin Williams — 15
Isaiah Hartenstein — 13
Lu Dort — 13
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 12
Chet Holmgren — 11
Nikola Topic — Played just 7 games
Despite a combined 174 missed games from key rotation players, the Thunder are still sitting at the top of the Western Conference, just a couple of games off last year’s pace.
So what makes this team better?
Experience & Exposure
All season, Mark Daigneault and his staff have been adjusting on the fly, rolling out different lineups almost every night. Injuries didn’t just test OKC’s depth, they forced guys into bigger roles than expected.
Not spot minutes. Not controlled opportunities. Real responsibility.
Cason Wallace. Jaylin Williams. Isaiah Joe. Ajay Mitchell.
Those are the same guys who are going to be counted on in the playoffs. The difference now is they’ve already been through it. They’ve had the ball. They’ve had to make decisions. They’ve had to produce.
Nothing about those moments will feel new.
The Obvious: They’ve Been Here Before
Last year’s title run wasn’t easy.
Two Game 7s. Jalen Williams is playing through a serious wrist injury. A run that tested them at every level.
And before that, in 2024, they were the No. 1 seed that got knocked off by Dallas, where role players ended up being the difference in that series.
That sticks with you.
Now they’re heading into the postseason healthier, more experienced, and with a much better understanding of what it actually takes. They’ve seen the best already. Luka. Ja. Ant. Jokic. Murray. Haliburton.
There’s no guessing anymore.
Additional Scoring Threats
During last year’s title run, the formula was clear.
Shai carried the scoring load. Jalen Williams stepped up even while dealing with injury. Chet anchored the paint.
After that, there was a drop-off.
This year feels different.
Ajay Mitchell has changed that.
Last season, he was around but not really part of the rotation, playing 36 games and then getting thrown into a playoff role he wasn’t ready for.
Now, he is.
Even with his own injuries this year, he’s found a rhythm. His minutes have jumped from 16.6 to 26.6 per game. His scoring has gone from 6.5 to 13.8.
More importantly, he looks comfortable.
He’s decisive. He’s efficient. He’s not thinking, he’s just playing.
And heading into the playoffs, he gives OKC another real creator. Someone who can take pressure off Shai and Dub, and give them a scoring option they didn’t have last year.
The Landscape
The rest of the league has gotten better.
The Spurs are right there for the one seed and have had OKC’s number this season. The Celtics look like themselves again with Jayson Tatum back. The Pistons have taken over the East. The Knicks are still chasing their first Finals trip since 1999.
But so have the Thunder.
And that’s what makes all of this real.
They didn’t just maintain.
They got better.
