The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the undisputed kings of the Western Conference, establishing a commanding 6.5-game lead at the halfway point of the NBA season. Led by the electrifying play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have consistently outclassed their opponents, showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen in the league.
With a remarkable plus-12.8 point differential, the Thunder are on pace to shatter records, potentially surpassing even the legendary 73-win Golden State Warriors of 2015-16. This dominant performance has positioned the Thunder as the clear favorites to secure the top seed in the Western Conference and contend for a deep playoff run.
According to an ESPN analysis by Kevin Pelton, the Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the frontrunners in the Western Conference playoff race. Pelton’s mid-season assessment places the Thunder in a tier of their own, boasting the 6.5-game lead and a point differential exceeding any team in NBA history.
Tier 1: The clear-cut favorite
Oklahoma City Thunder
Current record: (35-7; 1st in the Western Conference)
Record since Nov. 20 check-in: 24-3
Tier change:Friday’s loss in Dallas, a game MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out a night after dominating the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers in a highly anticipated rematch of the league’s top two teams this season, knocked Oklahoma City off a 70-win pace at the halfway point. Still, the Thunder’s plus-12.8 point differential would be better than any team in NBA history, far ahead of the Golden State team that won 73 games in 2015-16. (plus-10.8, eighth best all time).
What happens next: Oklahoma City should cruise to the No. 1 seed as the clear favorite to win the West. We haven’t seen the Thunder’s frontcourt at full strength with both Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, who remains out for at least three more weeks, in the lineup.
The return of key players like Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren is expected to further bolster the Thunder’s already formidable roster. As the season progresses, the Thunder will look to maintain their dominance and solidify their position as a true championship contender in the Western Conference.
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