The Oklahoma City Thunder have started the 2023-24 season with a bang. Led by budding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC is one of three teams with both a top-10 offense and a top-10 defense in the NBA. Only the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets rank top 10 on both ends of the floor as well.
The Thunder sit in second place in the Western Conference with an 11-5 record. They boast the third-best net rating in the league with an 8.3 mark, only trailing the Celtics and 76ers. They also lead the league in true shooting percentage and rank second in effective field goal percentage behind the Indiana Pacers.
OKC has officially put the league on notice with one of the most efficient offenses in basketball, but the Thunder defense has stood out as well. Chet Holmgren owns the No. 6 defensive rating in the NBA. The rookie big man has recorded 2.3 blocks a night, averaging 18.1 points on 56.4% shooting from the field and 43.8% from three.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Holmgren’s versatility as a stretch five with elite two-way potential makes him one of the most unique players in the sport. Players like Holmgren have helped the Thunder capture the league’s top 3-point shooting percentage. As a team, OKC shoots a ridiculous 40.5% from three. The young squad also hits 49.8% of its field goals, second in the NBA only to the Pacers.
Gilgeous-Alexander, often known as SGA, has begun his campaign for a second straight All-NBA First-Team selection. The 6-foot-6 combo guard has posted 30.4 points per game on 53.4% shooting from the field. His incredible scoring efficiency has turned him into one of the most lethal bucket-getters in the association.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
SGA has also evolved into a fantastic defender during his time in OKC. He led all guards in blocks per game last year, and he ranks fifth this season.
Head coach Mark Daigneault, who signed a multi-year contract extension over the summer, recently spoke to OKC reporters about Gilgeous-Alexander’s defense.
“Some of it is his length,” Daigneault said. “Some of it is his engagement and care factor on that end. Some of it is his intelligence built over time. His wisdom has really grown over time as he’s played a lot of minutes…”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
With OKC in full flight, SGA could make a legitimate case for league MVP as the season progresses. No matter what, the Canadian superstar seems poised for another All-NBA appearance.
The Thunder snapped a six-game win streak in their latest loss to the 76ers. They will look to bounce back when they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves for control of the No. 1 seed out west.
