Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 8 seasons:
๐ต 2x NBA MVP
๐ต 1x NBA Champion
๐ต 1x Finals MVP
๐ต 1x WCF MVP
๐ต 1x Clutch Player of the Year
๐ต 1x NBA Scoring Champion
๐ต 4x All-Star
๐ต 4x All-NBA First Team
Hall of Fame Resume in less than 10 years ๐ค
@GoldenBaldieSzn He would have got significantly less if he left in camp. You're right it I'd selfish and unfair. But they are all there for the money. If you want to go home, have your dad at home unwell and have the opportunity to take home full pay. I can see why his head was turned
@Zuffa_Boxing@ConorNigel@RiyadhSeason Conor Benn - the main he claimed he turned down a chance to fight for the IBO belt because its not a legitimate world title ๐
BEST 25-GAME STARTS IN NBA HISTORY ๐ฅ
2025-26 Thunder (24-1)
2015-16 Warriors (24-1)
OKC is now tied with the 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start to a season in NBA history!
Shai and the Thunder aim for their 17th win in a row vs. the Spurs on Saturday, 12/13 in @emirates NBA Cup Semifinals action at 9:00pm/et on Prime. ๐
The scariest sentence in the NBA just dropped: Jalen Williams ๐ถ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ.
Fresh off winning the 2025 NBA Championship, the Thunder have completely ignored the typical "title hangover," opening the season with a terrifying 18-1 record.
But the story gets absolutely insane behind the scenes.
J-Dubโs long absence was actually the team's winning lottery ticket. By sitting out those 19 games, he broke the NBAโs new 65-game rule.
The unfortunate truth is that J-Dub misses out on All-NBA and about $48 MILLION in contract bonuses. The amazing truth for the franchise is that all of that money is instantly saved.
That $48 million in savings is the exact cushion GM Sam Presti might need to duck the punitive Second Apron.
And just to twist the knife a little more, don't forget the asset thatโs still sitting in the bank.
While the Thunder are busy reintegrating an All-Star onto an 18-1 team, they are also clutching the unprotected 2026 Clippers first-round pick.
Itโs currently looking like a high lottery selection, giving the best team in basketball a 26.3% shot at a Top 4 pick next summer ๐คฏ
...and they also have the Jazz pick (1-8 protected), and the Sixers pick (1-4 protected).
So, to recap the "struggle" in Oklahoma City:
โกDominated the league (18-1) without star wing.
โกSaved $48 million because he didn't play.
โกHe is now back, fresh and rested.
โกThey might draft another superstar in June.
The Thunder are gaming the system in real-time.