With just under 10 games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are on the verge of making NBA history. After 73 games, the Thunder boast a staggering +13.05 point differential per game, the highest mark in league history if the trend holds through the end of the season.
That figure places them ahead of legendary teams like the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, and 2016-17 Golden State Warriors.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (2024-25) – +13.05 PPG
2. Los Angeles Lakers (1971-72) – +12.28 PPG
3. Milwaukee Bucks (1970-71) – +12.28 PPG
4. Chicago Bulls (1995-96) – +12.24 PPG
5. Golden State Warriors (2016-17) – +11.63 PPG
6. Boston Celtics (2023-24) – +11.35 PPG
7. Milwaukee Bucks (1971-72) – +11.34 PPG
8. Chicago Bulls (1996-97) – +10.80 PPG
9. Golden State Warriors (2015-16) – +10.76 PPG
10. San Antonio Spurs (2015-16) – +10.44 PPG
What makes this even more incredible is the pattern that follows these historical precedents. Every team in the top eight of the all-time point differential list — excluding this year’s Thunder — went on to win the NBA championship.
The only exceptions have been the 2016 Warriors, who infamously lost in the Finals despite a 73-9 record, and the 2016 Spurs, who were eliminated in the playoffs.
The Thunder’s current record of 61-12 has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Barring an unforeseen collapse, they’re also likely to finish with the best record in the entire NBA.
And they’re not just dominating by the eye test — the numbers back it all up. Oklahoma City ranks first in defensive rating by a considerable margin, locking opponents down with a smothering system built on length, effort, and communication.
Offensively, they sit fourth in the league, proving their dominance is far from one-dimensional.
Yet, despite these historic numbers and a season that’s shattered expectations, the Thunder continue to face doubts. Critics point to their lack of playoff experience — particularly their young core — as a reason to remain cautious about crowning them title favorites.
After all, the majority of their key rotation pieces have not yet made a deep postseason run. And while they’ve shown incredible composure in close games and have thrived against elite teams, the pressure cooker of the playoffs presents a different kind of challenge.
Still, this isn’t just a team of potential — it’s a team of production. The Thunder have four players ranked in the top 10 in defensive win shares, a testament to their collective effort on that end. Chet Holmgren has been elite as a rim protector, while Jalen Williams and Lu Dort provide lockdown perimeter defense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP candidate, has added defensive bite to his already complete game, and the rest of the roster is filled with switchable, unselfish defenders who know their roles.
The comparisons to the great teams of the past are justified. Whether it’s the Bulls’ suffocating defense, the Warriors’ blend of youth and unrelenting pace, or the Lakers’ utter dominance, the Thunder have shown shades of all of them.
And while they haven’t “won anything” yet, history suggests that teams with this level of regular season dominance usually finish the job.
If the Thunder carry this form into the postseason, the narrative around them will shift quickly. For now, they’re poised to enter the playoffs not just as the best team of the season — but possibly, as one of the best teams of all time.
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