The Oklahoma City Thunder have started the 2025-26 NBA season on a historic pace.
The Thunder are 23-1 and on pace to win 79 games, which would shatter the NBA record for victories. Their average point differential is plus-16.1, which would be another NBA record. Oklahoma City has the league's No. 1 defense by defensive rating, and its dominance has allowed reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to rest 12 fourth quarters in 23 games played.
However, OKC isn't perfect.
Who beat the Thunder this year?
The Portland Trail Blazers are the reason the Thunder aren't undefeated this season.
As the Thunder prepare to face the Phoenix Suns in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night, Gilgeous-Alexander and company will put their win streak on the line against the upstart Suns, who can look to the Blazers' example for clues on how to take apart the Thunder's death machine.
On Nov. 5, the Thunder rocked up to the Moda Center in Portland for the second night of a back-to-back with travel. The night before, Oklahoma City had defeated the Los Angeles Clippers, 126-107, while the Blazers had been idle after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers two nights earlier.
Guard Lu Dort was ruled out for the game in Portland, while Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams did not play through injury, either.
Even still, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder raced out to a 20-point lead over the Blazers after one quarter, only for Portland to battle back for a 121-119 victory.
Deni Avdija scored a team-high 26 points, hauled in 10 rebounds and finished one assist shy of a triple-double. Jrue Holiday added 22 points, while Jerami Grant came off the bench to add 20.
It remains the Thunder's only loss; Oklahoma City has won its past 15 games. The Blazers have struggled since, with a 9-15 record overall that has Portland on the fringes of the Western Conference playoff picture.
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