yahoo - 12/1/2025 7:56:11 PM - GMT (+2 )
The Oklahoma City Thunder have started their NBA championship defense, appearing poised for a repeat. Last year’s league MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is at the top of his game and just made NBA history by scoring at least 20 points in his 93rd consecutive game. That is the second-longest streak ever, behind Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the record with 126 straight games.
STRIKING START: Riding a 12-game winning streak, the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-1) have become just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 20 of their first 21 games (including a 4-0 mark in Group Play of the Emirates NBA Cup 2025). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now owns the… pic.twitter.com/NuJ1Ax5bKe
— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2025
Currently on a 12-game win streak after starting the season 8-0, the Thunder have lost just one game back on Nov. 5, to the Portland Trail Blazers, 121-119. At 20-1, OKC is in rarefied air, as only the fourth team in league history to win 20 of its first 21 games in a season. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (21-0), the 1993-94 Houston Rockets (20-1) and the 1969-70 New York Knicks (20-1) are the only other teams to accomplish this feat. Only the 2015-16 Warriors failed to close out the season with a championship after setting a new record for most regular-season wins with 73.
Gilgeous-Alexander is on a tear and showing critics that his MVP award last season wasn’t a fluke. He's averaging 32.5 points per game, leading the NBA in total points (683), field goal attempts (225), free throw makes (189) and attempts (213). He also got one of his running mates back recently, as fourth-year guard Jalen Williams returned from injury to make his season debut on Friday in a win over Phoenix, 121-119.
OKC is manhandling the entire league right now and is by far the best team in the Association. The Thunder own the best record in the NBA, and are hands down the best defensive team, ranking first in defensive efficiency rating (101.7) and allowing the fewest points per game (106.7). Offensively, they are toward the top of the NBA, ranking third in points per game (122.2) and fourth in offensive efficiency rating (117.4).
This team is off to a hellacious start and could create a lot of history this season, having the chance to set new team and individual NBA records along the way. The Thunder's next test on the road to a repeat takes place on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
read more