Thunder’s First Defeat in Las Vegas
In the glittering city of Las Vegas, the Oklahoma City Thunder recently encountered their first defeat of the season, falling to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in a hard-fought NBA Cup match. This loss marked the Thunder’s record at 24-2, still maintaining an impressive winning pace that suggests they could challenge the historical benchmark set by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who had a staggering 25-1 start before ultimately achieving an NBA record of 73 wins.
Significance of Winning
Star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the significance of victories when asked about pursuing the Warriors’ record.
“Winning matters, no matter how it presents itself,”
he stated. The team’s passion for achieving greatness is palpable among players, indicating a willingness to embrace the pursuit of such a prestigious record as long as it aligns with their growth and health throughout the season.
Team Performance Metrics
The Thunder not only possess the right mindset but also showcase the necessary talent. They currently lead the league in defensive metrics and boast the fifth-best offense, resulting in a remarkable net rating of +16.4—numbers that could shatter existing records.
Parallels with the Warriors
There are striking parallels between this Thunder squad and the historical Warriors. Both teams emerged victorious for the first time, aiming to establish a legacy as a dominant force in the NBA. Each is led by elite players fresh off MVP campaigns—Stephen Curry for the Warriors and Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder—surrounded by a diligent roster eager to compete at the highest level.
Embracing the Challenge
The Thunder have openly embraced the challenge of chasing the record. Guard Jalen Williams acknowledged their competitive spirit, expressing that while they are indeed striving for excellence, winning games remains the priority.
“If it happens naturally, then great, but health will always come first as the season progresses. We’ll tackle those questions when they arise,”
he noted.
Learning from Defeat
Following the recent loss, the Thunder’s locker room viewed the experience as an opportunity to learn rather than a setback. Williams reflected on their impressive record, urging his teammates to focus on improvement and treat each loss as a chance to better understand their competition.
Upcoming Matchups
As fate would have it, the Thunder will have another pair of chances to face the Spurs soon, with matchups scheduled for Tuesday night on NBC and Peacock, as well as a featured Christmas Day game. These upcoming contests against a formidable Spurs team may further complicate the Thunder’s aspirations for breaking the Warriors’ 73-win record, adding excitement to an already engaging NBA season.
