The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently leading the Western Conference for the second consecutive year, boasting an impressive 26-5 record, including an 11-game winning streak. Despite suffering from significant injuries, including the loss of rising star Chet Holmgren for most of the regular season, the Thunder have managed to maintain their dominance. Players such as Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, Kenrich Williams, and Jaylin Williams have also faced injury challenges, alongside Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Cason Wallace, who have all missed games at various points.
Interestingly, the Thunder's opponents have also been struggling with injuries, which raises questions about the validity of their current standing. Oklahoma City has faced several teams missing key players, including the Phoenix Suns without Kevin Durant, the Orlando Magic missing Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Denver Nuggets without Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, and the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Doncic. This trend continues with the Thunder's recent matchups against teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, both of which were without their star players.
Despite these circumstances, the Thunder's success is commendable, as they have shown resilience in the face of adversity. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the desire to compete against fully healthy teams to gauge their true potential. The Thunder's upcoming schedule includes games against projected healthy teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Clippers, as well as matchups against the New York Knicks and reigning champion Boston Celtics. These upcoming contests will serve as crucial tests for Oklahoma City as they prepare for the trade deadline and aim to solidify their standing in the league.
