There is no denying that the Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the most dominant force in the NBA. Coming off their first championship in franchise history, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. have carried that momentum into the 2025-26 season, looking unstoppable.
The Thunder are indeed blessed with one of the deepest and most talented rosters, as evidenced by their ability to win games even without their star players.
While Luguentz Dort has missed the last couple of contests, Jalen Williams has yet to make his season debut. Nonetheless, OKC remains on top of the standings, showcasing its versatility on both ends of the floor.
Recently, NBA Hall of Famer James Worthy shed light on how the Thunder had identified the blueprint for success, and all they have to do now is stay together as a unit to continue their dominance.
"They are on their way, remind me of some of the great dynasties of the past, Chicago, San Antonio, Lakers .They have a formula, and once you get the formula and you believe in it and it works for you, all you do is stick in different parts, and it doesn't matter," said Worthy, who was an integral part of the Lakers Showtime era.
With the Thunder off to a dominant start in their repeat-seeking campaign, Gilgeous-Alexander recently revealed how the team was not its best version last season despite winning the championship.
In what most would describe as the perfect run, the Thunder finished with a 68-14 record in the 2024-25 season. Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP award, making waves in the scoring department with numbers that earned him comparisons to greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant — he averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds on 51.9 percent from the field.
The Thunder continued their dominance in the playoffs and won the championship after beating the Indiana Pacers in the finals. Still, Gilgeous Alexander, who won the Finals MVP, wasn't satisfied with how his team secured the Larry O'Brien trophy.
"Honestly speaking, I didn't like the way we won, if that makes sense… I didn't think we won an NBA championship playing our best basketball… We were definitely more dominant in the regular season than the postseason… And for me, as well as a player, I don't think I was as good in the postseason as I was in the regular season," he stated .
Gilgeous-Alexander also said that he doesn't play basketball just to win one time . And 13 games into the season — the Thunder sit first in the West with a 12-1 record — he and the team are off to a great start.
The Golden State Warriors remain the last NBA dynasty, but they haven't been to the Promised Land since 2022. That said, the Thunder, who are constructed to rule the league for years, have all that it takes to take the crown.
Considering that the Thunder have won only one title, some might say it's too early to make such predictions. But one cannot deny that OKC appears more dangerous than ever, given the experience they have gained during the championship run.
Head coach Mark Daigneault had built a well-oiled machine that does not place the entire offensive load on one player, providing each roster member with an opportunity to score. In return, they all play elite defense, which makes them an elite two-way team.
Enough to make them a dynasty? Only time will tell.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
