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The Oklahoma City Thunder are having a historic season, yet their achievements often go unnoticed due to their small-market status even if they are on win away from the NBA Finals. For the second consecutive year, they've claimed the top spot in the Western Conference. This time, however, their 68 wins are the most in franchise history, suring those of both the Oklahoma City and Seattle Supersonics eras. It's also the sixth-best record in NBA history, a testament to their dominance. During the regular season, they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game, breaking a record set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers over 50 years ago. So yes, arguably, they had the best regular season in history.
With a Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Thunder could etch their name into NBA lore by becoming the fourth team to reach 80 combined wins before the Finals. This feat would place them alongside some of the league's most iconic teams.
Thunder Eyes 80 Wins, ing Elite Company
A win in Game 5 would put the Thunder in an elite group as the fourth team in NBA history to reach 80 wins before the Finals, combining regular season and playoff victories. They would stand alongside the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who set the regular-season record with 73 wins but lost to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals. The other teams in this elite group are the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who famously went 72-10 and clinched their fourth title, and the 1996-97 Bulls, who added a fifth ring to their legacy under Michael Jordan's leadership.
This milestone is no small feat, especially for a team led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been spectacular. From the beginning, the Thunder signaled their intent by becoming the first team ever to win their first seven games by 10 or more points. While the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are potential Finals opponents, the Thunder seem certain to win it all, given their season-long dominance.
Much like the teams they aim to emulate, the Thunder's journey to this point has been marked by consistency and excellence. The 2015-16 Warriors, fueled by Stephen Curry's historic shooting and a deep roster, set a new standard for regular-season success. However, they stumbled in the Finals. The mid-1990s Bulls, led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, redefined dynasty basketball by winning three consecutive championships, both before and after Jordan's brief retirement.
The current Thunder team mirrors that era's dominance with its blend of youth and experience, outpacing opponents with a style that's both efficient and entertaining. SGA's leadership, coupled with contributions from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, has created a blueprint for sustained success. Their potential 80-win mark would be a fitting capstone to a remarkable season.
Comparing Thunder's Feat to NBA Legends
The 2015-16 Warriors and the 1995-98 Bulls set benchmarks that the Thunder are now challenging. Nobody expected this in October. Golden State's record-breaking 73 wins were due to Curry's transformative play and their roster, which included Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. However, their loss in the Finals highlighted the fragility of such success. The Bulls, on the other hand, were unstoppable. Jordan's scoring prowess and Pippen's defensive acumen drove them to back-to-back championships. In the 1996-97 season, they dipped slightly to 69 wins but still claimed the championship, proving their resilience.
With 68 regular-season wins and a chance to add 12 more in the playoffs, this Thunder team echoes that era's dominance. Their average margin of victory sures even the impressive marks of the Bulls and Warriors, suggesting a level of control that's rare in today's NBA. While the Warriors and Bulls benefited from star-studded lineups, the Thunder's success is built on a collective effort, with SGA's MVP campaign at the forefront.