The Oklahoma City Thunder have achieved a historic start to the 2025-26 NBA season, equalling the best 25-game start in NBA history. The defending champions overpowered the Phoenix Suns 138-89 in the NBA Cup quarter-finals at the Paycom Center, marking a franchise-record 16th consecutive victory.
With this win, the Thunder now have a 24-1 record, matching the Golden State Warriors’ remarkable 2015-16 start that preceded their record-breaking 73-win season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Charge
Last season’s NBA Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, continues to shine, scoring 28 points against the Suns. Impressively, he has hit the 20-point mark in 96 consecutive games, further cementing his status as one of the league’s premier talents.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.8 points per game this season, guiding the Thunder’s high-powered offense and inspiring consistency across the squad. Forward Jalen Williams highlighted the team’s mindset, saying:
“Winning is never boring.”
Thunder’s Dominance This Season
Since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, the Thunder have amassed 92 wins in 107 regular-season games, topping last season’s Western Conference with a 68-14 record. Their dominance in the NBA Cup quarter-finals underscores the team’s strength and depth, as they continue to pursue a second consecutive championship.
The Thunder will next face the San Antonio Spurs in the semi-finals in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Spurs earned their place by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119 at Crypto.com Arena.
NBA Cup Context
The NBA Cup is the league’s annual in-season tournament, designed to bring additional competitive excitement to the season. While the final determines the Cup champion, all matches—including quarter-finals—count toward the regular-season standings, adding stakes to every game.
The Thunder narrowly missed out last year, losing in the final to the Milwaukee Bucks, and this season they are aiming to claim both the NBA Cup and maintain their historic regular-season dominance.
Historical Significance
Equalling the Warriors’ 2015-16 start places the Thunder among the greatest NBA teams in modern history. That Warriors squad went on to achieve the most wins in a single NBA season—73, a record the Thunder could challenge if they maintain this level of performance.
This early-season dominance highlights Oklahoma City’s transformation into a true championship contender, with Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and the rest of the squad showing both consistency and explosive scoring ability.
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