The Thunder have gotten off to a great start to begin the 2024-2025 NBA season. They are 3-0, their best start since 2016, and are approaching their best start in franchise history, which was 5-0 in 2011. The Thunder have beaten every team by at least 15 points and have a net rating of 18.4.
They are doing this despite their offense struggling out of the gate. The Thunder are shooting only 44.4% from the field and a disastrous 27.6% from three. However, the Thunder have a 90.8 defensive rating, which is the best in the league. It has been this tenacious, turn-you-over Thunder defense that has gotten them to this point. Nevertheless, the question now becomes whether or not the Thunder will be able to play this high-level defense for a full 82-game season. Today, we will look at the reasons why this Thunder team can maintain this for the whole season.
The Thunder Defense is Off to an Impressive Start
Thunder’s Ability to Force Turnovers
Every NBA team is going to have turnovers after every game. We are all human, and we make mistakes, that is no different for NBA players. However, when NBA teams usually turn the ball over, it is because they make a bad pass or they do something wrong. That has not been the case with this Thunder team; they are forcing other teams to turn the ball over. Whether that be through stealing the ball, being in the passing lanes, or making a play on the ball. Through three games, OKC has forced 20.7 turnovers per game which ranks first in the league, and 12.3 steals per game which ranks second.
Now, with a start like this, people will say they have just been getting lucky and this won’t last. However, this is what they have been doing for the past two seasons. This Thunder team has great chemistry on the defensive side of the ball; they are usually in the right position, ready to make a play. It has been this constant development, improvements, and chemistry that has been built over the years to get them to this point. They are just in unison with each other on every play on the defensive side, and they have trust in each other, which allows them to be more aggressive. Knowing that help will be there if they need it.
They Have too Many Good One-on-One Defenders
In addition to forcing turnovers, they have so many great one-on-one defenders. NBA teams usually have one or maybe two great point-of-attack defenders. However, the Thunder have three of them: Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace. This gives the Thunder the ability to always have one of these guys on your best defenders. In addition, if a team has multiple scoring threats, they can always have one of these guys on both. A lot of NBA teams don’t have the luxury of being able to do this and have to pick and choose who their best defender guards. This has been prevalent through the first three games, where the most points this Thunder defense has allowed by a single player is 24 by Trae Young. Also, they haven’t allowed multiple players to score 20 points in a game this season.
Isaiah Hartenstein’s Return Will Improve The Thunder’s Defense
Another thing that has been impressive about this start defensively is they are doing this all with only one center. Chet Holmgren is the only healthy center on the Thunder right now. Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams, their other two bigs, are both hurt. Them coming back will only help this Thunder defense get even better. They will be able to run double big lineups and give opposing offenses different looks defensively, with them being healthy. Holmgren has been very impressive this year with his shot-blocking and forcing misses at the rim. He is first in the NBA in blocks, averaging 4.0 per game, and as a team, they are averaging an impressive 10 per game.
When Hartenstein comes back, the Thunder will have another rim protector to deploy that can deter shots at the rim and get blocks. This will allow the Thunder to always have a rim-protecting big in the game at all times to go along with their perimeter defenders. Their depth and the amount of players they have that can play defense is just unfair for opposing offenses to try to go against. There are only a few teams with the offensive firepower that can match this Thunder defense. Finally, once Hartenstein returns, the Thunder will be able to get more defensive rebounds and limit second-chance points more.
Who Do Opposing Teams Attack
Usually, NBA teams, even if they are good on defense, always have someone who other teams can attack. Last year, the Thunder had a great defense, but teams attacked Josh Giddey on that end. However, this year, the Thunder don’t have any weakness defensively. Everyone on the Thunder who plays is an above-average defender or average defender at worst. There isn’t a player on the Thunder roster that opposing teams can attack constantly, thinking they have an advantage. If an offense is struggling, teams give the ball in their best player’s hand and get them in a matchup that is favorable for them. However, against the Thunder, when your offense is struggling, who do you attack, thinking you will have the advantage?
In addition, with all the elite perimeter one-on-one defenders and rim protectors, the Thunder have. With everyone buying into playing hard and aggressively on the defensive end, the Thunder will have the ability to always have at least one player make a difference on the defense. Many NBA teams don’t have that luxury where their top defenders struggle on a specific night their whole defense struggles. For the Thunder, even if their top guys struggle on a specific night, they have the depth and ability where their whole defense won’t struggle on that night.
Last Word on The Thunder’s Defense
Going into this year, everyone knew this Thunder defense was going to be a top unit. However, they have been better than advertised, even without being fully healthy. The more and more this group plays together, the more chemistry they will be gaining, and they are already this good right out of the gate. As long as the Thunder can remain healthy throughout the year and stay focused and locked in on defense throughout the season. This defense playing like they are will continue throughout the season, forcing turnover after turnover, blocking shots, and just making life hard for the opposing team. Ultimately, it would not be shocking when the year is over, and this Thunder defense is historically good, breaking multiple records.
