Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder have made it clear to the NBA that their title defense is in full force with how they’ve started the 2025-26 campaign.

And following their latest win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night, the Thunder have made incredible history that calls back to the days of the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.

How Thunder’s Hot Start Connects With 2016 Warriors

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are coming off an incredible title run in the 2024-25 season. They won 68 games in the regular season, a franchise record. They went 16-7 in the postseason, taking down the Indiana Pacers in a remarkable seven-game series to earn their first title in the state of Oklahoma.

That season was unforgettable for Oklahoma City, but that doesn’t mean they are done achieving milestones. Their blowout win over the Trail Blazers improved their record to 17-1, a start that no team has matched since the 2015-16 Warriors, who won a league-record 73 games.

BREAKING: The Thunder are now 17-1 🔥

The only team ever with a better start through 18 games…The 73-9 Warriors. pic.twitter.com/13woiY0H96

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) November 24, 2025

That Golden State squad was remarkable. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green headlined the team as they tormented opponents left and right, winning many games convincingly. Not only did Curry win MVP as the first unanimous finalist, but he also led the team to the NBA Finals. However, they lost in seven games to the LeBron James and Kyrie Irving-led Cleveland Cavaliers.

That type of success is something the Thunder are experiencing now. Gilgeous-Alexander won MVP last season as he led the team to the mountaintop. He is on a trajectory that could see him and Oklahoma City match the success that Golden State achieved in the last decade.

What’s Next for SGA and Thunder?

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder continue to shine as an elite squad in the NBA, asserting themselves once again as a title contender.

He is averaging 32.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game after 18 contests. He is shooting 54.3% from the field, including 41.2% from beyond the arc, and 89.8% from the free-throw line. Not to mention, he remains without his co-star Jalen Williams, who is recovering from wrist surgery.

Oklahoma City holds the best start in the league, including the Western Conference. They are ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets by four games and the Houston Rockets by five games.

The Thunder have excelled on both sides of the ball, justifying their hot start. They rank fourth in scoring offense (122.6), first in scoring defense (105.7), third in offensive rating (120.7) and first in defensive rating (104.0).

Riding a nine-game win streak, the Thunder will prepare for their next matchup. They will be at home when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET as part of the NBA Cup group stage.