THE Thunder is 10-2 via his first 12 video games. Solely the undefeated Cavaliers (13-0) have a greater successful share than the Thunder.
The Thunder rank first within the NBA in level differential, first in internet score, first in defensive score and ninth in offensive score.
These are an important numbers. However let’s dig somewhat deeper.
Listed below are 12 tendencies we’re seeing via the Thunder’s first 12 video games.
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1. Steal thunder
The Thunder commit thefts to an alarming diploma.
OKC averages 12.7 steals per recreation. If that quantity holds, he would rank third in steals per recreation in NBA historical past behind the 1977-78 Suns (12.9) and the 1993-94 SuperSonics (12.8).
They have been groups from one other period. The variety of flights recorded by the Thunder is staggering by fashionable requirements.
Final season, the Thunder additionally ranked #1 in steals per recreation…with 8.5, which was 4 fewer steals than this season.
The 2018-19 Thunder maintain the workforce file with 9.3 steals per recreation. This 2024-25 workforce may erase that mark.
4 of the NBA’s high 10 gamers in steals per recreation are Thunder gamers. Jalen Williams (2.1) is third, Cason Wallace (1.8) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1.8) are tied for fifth and Alex Caruso (1.7) is tied for ninth.
Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels paces the sector with 3.6 steals per recreation.
The Thunder additionally rank first in blocks per recreation with 7.0, and that features the 2 video games performed with out Chet Holmgren, who ranks third within the NBA with 2.6 blocks per recreation.
2. Lack of clutch factors
The NBA classifies “clutch video games” as these the place the rating is inside 5 factors within the closing 5 minutes of a recreation.
The Thunder have performed simply two decisive video games, tied with the Jazz and Wizards for the fewest video games within the NBA. This isn’t the enterprise you wish to hold, is it?
Properly, whereas the Wizards and Jazz frequently get blown out, the Thunder trigger blowouts.
9 of OKC’s 10 wins have been by double digits.
3. Thunder will increase 3-point makes an attempt
Yeah, the Thunder and everybody. However Oklahoma Metropolis is gaining floor.
Final season, OKC ranked sixteenth in 3-point makes an attempt per recreation (34.2) whereas main the league in 3-point share (38.9%).
This season, OKC ranks eighth in 3-point makes an attempt per recreation (39.3) and 14th (36.1%) in share.
Even when the Thunder loses a bit in share, the maths will likely be on their facet with extra makes an attempt.
Simply take a look at the defending champions, the Celtics. Boston leads the league with 50.4 3-point makes an attempt per recreation, up from 42.5 final season. The Celtics try 10 instances extra 3-pointers than 2-pointers per recreation.
Isaiah Joe leads the Thunder with 6.3 3-point makes an attempt per recreation. SGA is attempting to hit a career-high 5.7 3-pointers per recreation, taking pictures simply 31% up to now.
4. Thunder ranks final in rebounding
Ah sure, the Thunder’s woes are again and worse than ever. I can not wait to speak about all of it season lengthy even because the Thunder proceed to rack up wins.
OKC ranks final within the NBA in rebounding share (46%) – the proportion of obtainable rebounds a workforce will get. The Thunder ranked twenty eighth in rebounding share a season in the past.
The lack of Holmgren actually would not portend enchancment on this class, however Isaiah Hartenstein ought to present appreciable assist in his return from a hand harm.
Actually, who cares about rebounding when the Thunder protection can simply finish possessions with steals?
5. Thunder, reigning SGA champion in drives per recreation
Having led the league in drives per recreation in every of the final 4 seasons, the Thunder are on tempo to achieve fifth.
OKC averages 62.7 drives per recreation. Memphis is in second place with 56.9 drives per recreation.
The Thunder have led the league in drives per recreation in every of the final 4 seasons, as Gilgeous-Alexander has led all gamers in drives per recreation in every of the final 4 seasons.
And Shai can also be poised to increase his streak. His 22.3 drives per recreation lead the NBA, however that quantity could be his lowest whole during the last 5 seasons.
6. Thunder ranks first in protection
That quantity will undoubtedly lower with Holmgren sidelined for the subsequent few months, however we obtained a quick glimpse of how scary the Thunder protection is at full power with Holmgren defending the rim, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso wreaking havoc on the perimeter. , Jalen Williams guarding all 5 positions and Gilgeous-Alexander hawking the ball.
The Thunder allowed 101.9 factors per 100 possessions. The Magic have the second stingiest protection within the NBA with 104.3 factors allowed per 100 possessions.
OKC compelled probably the most turnovers and allowed the bottom discipline objective share. That is fairly a double.
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7. Lu Dort makes it rain
Lu Dort shot a career-high 39.4% from 3-point vary final season on 5.0 makes an attempt per recreation. By means of 12 video games this season, Dort is taking pictures 46.8% from three on 5.2 makes an attempt per recreation.
Dort leads the Thunder in 3-point share and ranks twentieth within the NBA. Aaron Wiggins (45.2%) and Jalen Williams (42.1%) are additionally off to scorching begins from deep.
8. Ajay Mitchell performs an necessary position
Ajay Mitchell was the thirty eighth decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, however he ranks 18th amongst all rookies in whole minutes.
It is uncommon for a rookie to be a rotation participant on a title contender. Even crazier when you think about that Mitchell, a three-year guard from UC Santa Barbara, was a second-round decide signed to a two-way contract.
Mitchell performed in all 12 video games, averaging 15.2 minutes coming off the bench. He’s taking pictures 53.1% from the sector, 45.5% from 3-point vary and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Mitchell ranks third on the Thunder in assists per 36 minutes behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
The Thunder may need found a gem within the second spherical.
9. Alex Caruso caught in a 3-point stoop
One in every of my daring predictions At the beginning of the season, Alex Caruso would lead the Thunder in 3-point share.
It is early, however yeah, I do not be ok with this one.
Among the many 169 gamers who performed in no less than 10 video games and averaged no less than 2.5 3-point makes an attempt per recreation, Caruso ranks one hundred and sixty fifth, with an unsavory 21.9% success fee.
On that record, the one gamers who shoot worse than Caruso are Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski, Utah’s Cody Williams, Washington’s Alex Sarr and Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, who’s taking pictures 16.7 p.c (5 of 30). ).
Caruso is a profession 37.5% 3-point shooter who final season shot a career-high 40.8%. Likelihood is that is simply an early season incident.
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10. Thunder leads in dashing stats
The Thunder rank high three in 5 key stats.
Deflections: 1st, 23.0 per recreation
Unfastened balls recovered: 1st, 6.4 per recreation
Expenses drawn: 2nd, 1.0 per recreation
Contested pictures: third, 41.7 per recreation
Simply extra proof of OKC’s #1 protection.
11. Wallace, Joe and Wiggins’ separation begins
The Thunder had 4 full-time starters earlier than Holmgren went down. The ultimate spot was a three-man rotation of Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
With Holmgren out and Hartenstein nonetheless recovering from a hand harm, two of Wallace, Joe and Wiggins may very well be common starters. Heck, throw Kenrich Williams into the combo. And Alex Caruso, who has but to start out a match.
You by no means know what Mark Daigneault will do.
The Thunder have had 5 beginning lineups in 12 video games.
The Thunder are 5-0 in video games Wallace has began.
OKC’s most used lineup (64 minutes whole) was SGA, Dort, Wallace, Jalen Williams and Holmgren. This group outscores their opponents by 9.8 factors per 100 possessions.
Extra: OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lets ‘the sport come to him’
12. Reminder of the impression of SGA
Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring (27.9 factors per recreation) and discipline objective share (49.8%) are down from the final two seasons, however he’s averaging 6.3 assists assists with 5.5 rebounds.
He is on monitor for one more first-team All-NBA marketing campaign.
These superficial numbers don’t totally clarify its worth.
The Thunder have a 16.3 internet score – outscoring opponents by 16.3 factors per 100 possessions – with Gilgeous-Alexander on the courtroom in comparison with a 4.0 internet score when SGA is off the courtroom.
That 12.3 on/off distinction is by far the biggest amongst OKC regulars. Unsurprisingly, the Thunder are at their finest when their finest participant is on the courtroom.
Joe Mussatto is a sports activities columnist for The Oklahoman. Do you could have a narrative thought for Joe? Ship him an electronic mail to jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Assist Joe’s work and that of different Oklahoma journalists by buying a digital subscription at this time at Subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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This text was initially printed on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder: file steals, 3-point enhance amongst early season tendencies
