Can Oklahoma City Catch The Bulls And Warriors?

When Alex Caruso said, “We’ll be better. We’ll be better next year,” it sounded like a routine promise. Yet, those words now feel prophetic. Oklahoma City has turned that promise into a statement of intent. Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti, the mastermind behind this roster, emphasized during preseason that the organization maintains an “obsession with improvement.” That obsession defines everything about this team.

After a 68-win campaign and a championship, most teams would relax. Not the Thunder. Their players and coaches viewed their narrow seven-game playoff series as lessons, not reliefs. Head coach Mark Daigneault called success “a distraction” — a warning that complacency can erode greatness faster than any opponent.

This is where the 73 wins record chase begins to sound legitimate for the Thunder. Oklahoma City hasn’t just avoided a championship hangover — they’ve gotten better.

Depth, Defense, and Discipline

Williams’ absence has tested their depth, but Ajay Mitchell’s emergence has silenced all concerns. His playmaking and poise have been vital. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has barely needed to touch the court in fourth quarters, sitting out seven so far. That’s a testament to the Thunder’s dominance.

Their defense remains elite. Last season, they led the league with a 106.6 defensive rating. This year, they’ve improved that to 103.0 — all while missing a Second-Team All-Defensive player in JDub. Thunder’s chances of breaking the 73 wins record rests on such consistency. Unlike the 2015–16 Warriors, whose historic run was mostly driven by offensive firepower, Oklahoma City’s dominance begins with defense. They rank sixth in offense and have the best defense, a balance that creates inevitable separation.

Chasing History, Defying Logic

OKC has outscored opponents by 205 points across 12.5 games, an average margin of victory of 15.8. Numbers like that don’t happen by chance. They happen when a young, confident team refuses to take its foot off the gas.

The Bulls’ 72 wins in 1996 and the Warriors’ 73 in 2016 represented perfection across eras — the standard of basketball excellence. The Thunder are showing that their mix of defense, depth, and youthful hunger could join that pantheon.

They aren’t just winning games; they’re redefining what a post-rebuild dynasty looks like. The margin for error is small, but this team’s focus, culture, and cohesion make the impossible seem plausible.

Thunder’s record chase isn’t just about numbers — it’s about belief. It’s about a young team that refuses to be satisfied, even at the top. And if history truly rewards obsession, Oklahoma City’s story might just be getting started.