The Oklahoma City Thunder have experienced a turbulent 2025-26 season. They've played 37 games without Jalen Williams, 28 down Isaiah Hartenstein, 20 without Sixth Man of the Year candidate Ajay Mitchell, and 12 without reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
That should've broken the Thunder, but they're still right where they were expected to be: Sitting atop the NBA. It's all because of a unique strength: Knowing how to navigate the regular season.
For all of the injuries, absences, and tough losses they've endured, Oklahoma City is still the best team in the regular season. They rank No. 1 in the NBA in net rating at 11.