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Thunder ready to roll. Here’s breakdown on defending NBA champions
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- Thunder ready to roll. Here’s breakdown on defending NBA champions
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.
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. NBAE via Getty Images
They’re the obstacle standing between the Lakers and an appearance in the Western Conference finals, after the Lakers beat the Rockets in a six-game first-round series to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
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That’s who and what the Thunder are now.
“We saw a stat in our morning meeting [Sunday] morning, like teams that have had back-to-back, 10 or more net ratings in consecutive seasons, you’re talking about the ’95-’96 Bulls and ’96-’97 Bulls and the ’15-’17 Warriors ,” coach JJ Redick said after Sunday’s practice. “You’re literally talking about two of the greatest teams of all time. To me, the Thunder [are] one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history. It’s just the reality. They’re that good. Our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.”
The Thunder are also looking to become the first franchise since the Warriors (2016-17, 2017-18 to repeat as NBA champions.
And if they beat the Lakers, they’d be the first defending champions to appear in the conference finals since the Warriors.
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But who and what makes the Thunder so dominant?
A breakdown on their roster:
Starting five
The reigning league MVP is expected to receive the honor for the second consecutive year after arguably his best season.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds, and shot 55.3% from the field and 38.6% on 3-pointers for the second-most-efficient scoring season by a guard in NBA history behind Steph Curry ’s 2015-16 season, when he was named the unanimous MVP.
The Thunder are great for a lot of reasons.
But Gilgeous-Alexander is the head of the snake for the team that’s in the midst of an all-time great run.
Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is expected to win his second consecutive MVP Award later this month. NBAE via Getty Images
Jalen Williams /Ajay Mitchell
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Usually Williams, a 2025 All-NBA third-team and All-Star honoree, would start alongside Gilgeous-Alexander.
But Williams has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during Game 2 of the Thunder’s first-round series against the Suns on April 22, with his status uncertain for Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Lakers.
Mitchell, who had a breakout season, started in place of Williams to close out the series against the Suns.
He averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals during the regular season, finishing fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, before averaging 15 points on 45% shooting on 3s in four playoff games against the Suns.
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Lu Dort
Dort is one of several Thunder players who are considered high-level defenders, being named to the All-Defensive First Team.
His high-intensity, physical style of play may cross the line at times, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the league’s best defenders.
And he’s turned himself into a reliable shooter, knocking down 38.4% of his 3s over the last three regular seasons.
The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren is arguably the team’s best defender. Getty Images
The No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, Holmgren is arguably the Thunder’s best defender. He finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year behind Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama , who won the award unanimously.
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Holmgren’s one of the league’s best rim protectors, with his 2.1 blocked shots per game for his career standing out.
He’s one of just four players to average at least two blocked shots per game since making his NBA debut in 2023.
Holmgren is coming off averaging career highs of 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds, having the most efficient scoring season since entering the league.
Hartenstein mans the middle for the Thunder, with his versatility standing out.
He’s a high-level screener, offensive rebounder and passer, and a solid rim protector.
Bench
The Thunder’s depth is among the best in the league.
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Two of their best defenders, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso — who won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers — play as reserves.
Expect them to guard Austin Reaves and LeBron James as soon as they check into games.
Jaylin Williams , a 2022 first-round pick, has been used as a third big for the Thunder.
And that’s before even getting to Isaiah Joe , Aaron Wiggins and Jared McCain , all of whom can be in the rotation and win the Thunder a quarter on a given night.
