OKC Thunder Schedule Softens | New Expected Win Total

Oklahoma City Thunder's historic 12-1 start has sparked a provocative question: Could this team achieve 70 wins? Despite missing Jalen Williams all season and navigating injuries to Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, the Thunder hold the NBA's best defensive rating and net rating while dominating playoff contenders. Rylan Stiles and Brandon Rahbar from Daily Thunder break down why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as arguably the best player in the world, outperforming Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Anthony Edwards in head-to-head playoff matchups. The discussion examines how Oklahoma City's brutal early schedule gives way to significant rest opportunities, the Western Conference's unexpected weakness with multiple tanking teams, and whether the organization's championship-first philosophy will prioritize health over chasing history. Ajay Mitchell's sixth man of the year campaign and the team's 12-deep rotation receive critical analysis. Discover whether the Thunder's talent and favorable schedule align for a record-breaking season or if playoff preparation takes precedence.