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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander passed Wilt Chamberlain on a historic list in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, November 30.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have gone from promising repeat NBA championship contenders to a full-blown historic force, and now their franchise star is openly acknowledging what fans and analysts have been whispering for weeks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed that the Thunder would be thrilled to surpass the NBA’s all-time regular season wins record, a mark set by the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors when they finished 73–9.
The comment came as Oklahoma City (24-1) continued one of the most dominant starts in league history, putting them in rare company and forcing a conversation usually reserved for all-time great teams.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have moved well beyond typical NBA title repeat champion contenders and are on the precipice of a dynastic run. Less than a third of the way into the NBA season, they have already forced themselves into a historical conversation that rarely applies to franchises this early in a competitive window. That conversation centers on the NBA regular season wins record, which has stood since the Golden State Warriors finished 73-9 in the 2015–16 season.
The Thunder star guard has now made it clear that the team is not ignoring that benchmark. With Oklahoma City continuing to win at an extraordinary rate, his comments have added fuel to a discussion that has grown louder with each passing week.
When asked whether the NBA regular season wins record matters to the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) was clear in his answer.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Winning matters. However it comes.”
The response was notable because players in similar situations often steer away from long-term goals publicly. Gilgeous-Alexander instead recognized what the standings already reflect. Oklahoma City understands how rare its start has been.
Gilgeous-Alexander Responds Honestly About the Record
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Through 25 games, the Thunder are winning at roughly a 96 percent rate. Over a full season, that pace would place them right near the 73-win mark. Sustaining that level across several months is a difficult task, but Oklahoma City has shown an ability to stay consistent regardless of opponent or game script.
The Thunder have not relied on one player or one style to build their record. Gilgeous-Alexander has provided steady scoring, but the team’s success has also come from defensive pressure, depth throughout the rotation, and an ability to close games in different ways.
There are clear differences between the two situations. The Warriors entered their record season with a veteran core and championship expectations. Oklahoma City is doing this with a roster many still consider young and developing, which has only added to the intrigue.
Why the Warriors’ 73-Win Season Keeps Coming Up
Any time a team starts this fast, comparisons to the 2015–16 Warriors are inevitable. That Golden State group, led by Stephen Curry during his unanimous MVP season, broke the long-standing Chicago Bulls record by winning 73 games.
Still, the numbers place them in the same early-season category. Matching the Warriors’ pace through the first 25 games is something only a handful of teams have ever done.
With several months left in the regular season, the challenge of reaching 73 wins remains steep. Injuries, schedule difficulty, and simple variance all play a role.
Alex Shoemaker Alex Shoemaker is a seasoned sports journalist and digital content strategist with more than a decade of experience in newsrooms and digital media. He has covered a wide range of sports, including March Madness, the Olympic Trials, and local high school athletics. He began his journalism career covering high school and community sports, developing a reputation for sharp storytelling and precise design that earned awards for both writing and pagination. More about Alex Shoemaker
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