
The moment the Oklahoma City Thunder became champions, NBA fans and media started discussing whether they were going to become the league's next dynasty.
Now 25 games into the 2025-26 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have matched the NBA's last dynasty in a historic way.
With their 138-89 domination of the Suns in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, Oklahoma City is now only the second team to ever open a season 24-1.
And the last team to reach that level of dominance early in a season, the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, ended up with the best regular-season record in history.
24-1.
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2025
THE SECOND TEAM EVER.
The 2025-26 @okcthunder tie the 2015-16 Warriors for the greatest 25-game start in NBA history! pic.twitter.com/aN6jG8AeDd
The Thunder also flexed their muscles and depth to secure their 24th win and their 16th in a row. Oklahoma City even won by 49 without anyone surpassing 30 points on the night.
As always, Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 28 points in 27 minutes to go along with two rebounds and eight assists. He shot a staggering 73.3% from the field, connecting on 11-of-15 shots.
Focus stays forward ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HhdRMUpp23
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 11, 2025
Chet Holmgren put up 24 of his own with the reverse of eight boards and a couple of assists. Jalen Williams, who was only playing in his sixth game of the season after missing the beginning of the season following wrist surgery, posted 15 points with five rebounds and five assists.
But going beyond the top three stars, 13 Thunder players scored in the game, including six who reached double-digits.
Like this year's Thunder team, that Warriors squad was on the heels of winning their first title as a group the season before. Then, the Stephen Curry-led Warriors finished off their 24-1 start by going 73-9, breaking the single-season wins record set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10.
But while tying the Thunder are thrilled to tie the Warriors' hot start, they hope for a different outcome in the subsequent postseason. Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and company would go on to capture three more championships together.
While the Warriors returned to the NBA Finals, they blew a 3-1 series lead to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers and failed to complete the success of their season with another championship.
The pressure is now on Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Williams to not only beat the Warriors' regular-season record but to win it all again.
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