Thunder ready to roll. Here’s breakdown on defending NBA champions
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions, are poised for another deep playoff run after posting elite regular-season records over the past two years. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a strong defensive core, they face the Lakers in the second round. The Thunder aim to become the first team since the Warriors to repeat as champions and reach the conference finals as defending title holders.
- ▪The Thunder posted a franchise-best 68 wins last season and a league-best 64 wins this season.
- ▪Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 55.3% from the field.
- ▪Chet Holmgren averaged 2.1 blocks per game and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
- ▪Jalen Williams is sidelined with a hamstring injury, leaving Ajay Mitchell to start in his place.
- ▪Coach JJ Redick compared the Thunder's sustained excellence to the 1996 Bulls and 2017 Warriors.
- ▪The Thunder are aiming to become the first team since the Warriors to repeat as NBA champions.
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NBA Thunder ready to roll. Here’s breakdown on defending NBA champions By Khobi Price Published May 4, 2026, 8:00 a.m. ET The Thunder are many things, and they’re looking to become even more. They’re the defending NBA champions. They’ve won a combined 132 games over the last two regular seasons, including a franchise-best 68 victories last season and a league-best 64 wins this season. They’ve had the league’s best regular-season net rating and defense the last two seasons. 3 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and his Thunder teammates will provide a great test for the Lakers, especially without Luka Doncic at the outset of the series and maybe longer.
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