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Is OKC Capable of Reaching 70 Wins in 2025-26?

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The pressure is always on for the defending champions. After winning 68 games in the regular season, it seems expectations are bigger for OKC, with 70 wins being the bar set before the champions. At this point, we all seek something new from the Thunder, and now the greatest quest lies before them.

Reaching 70 wins is something that continues to elude many teams in the regular season. The Thunder were nearly close to clinching that win total last year, but fell two games short. Now that another season is coming in hot, it seems that the stakes are getting higher. They are now fighting for bigger glory in the game, and along with it, the pressure of entering the 70-win club.

Is OKC Capable of Reaching 70 Wins in 2025-26?

As the 2025-26 season nears, we take time to assess if OKC can truly pull this off. After all, there’s been quite a massive fan following after they punched a total of 68 wins last season. They are now NBA champions, and this is their chance to write history once more.

The Chase for History

Only two teams have ever managed to reach 70 wins in a single season. The first was the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, led by the legendary Michael Jordan. That 72-10 record was historic as it would go on to become the standard in winning. It took decades before the 73-9 Golden State Warriors broke that record. With Stephen Curry leading the way back then, the Warriors became a dynasty to remember.

Lots of teams tried to flirt with history. The 1971-72 Lakers were the best before the previous two with 69 wins, and so were the 1996-97 Bulls. The Philadelphia 76ers also nailed 68 wins in 1966-67. But did you know who’s next on that list? The Oklahoma City Thunder last season. That says a lot about how this squad, comprised of young players, managed to steal the show and prove their worth. And now, they are gunning for history.

Well, chasing history isn’t new for Oklahoma City. This squad was the youngest first seed in the Western Conference and the youngest with the best record in the league. They also went on to set the largest point differential in the NBA, outscoring opponents by a total of 1,243 points. That success extends beyond the regular season, as they logged multiple 40-point playoff wins—the only team to do so.

But most of all, OKC clinched its first title since moving to Oklahoma City. With a team that has a young core with the reigning MVP, an elite All-Star in the making, and a DPOY candidate, it does seem that it’s only fair to expect big things from OKC, but can they win 70 games?

Durability is Essential to Winning 70 Games

To win 70 games and be among the legendary teams in the NBA is no easy feat. We have seen how lots of teams work hard to win a single game, let alone a whopping total of 70. In fact, of all those seven teams who won 68 games and above, only two failed to win the championship.

So for starters, injuries are very hard to predict. No team can ever prepare for this, and the Thunder are no exception. They already have Thomas Sorber, a rookie center, out for the entire season. Then there’s also Nikola Topic, whose injury will force him out for 4-6 weeks. However, one can say that they are yet to be vital pieces for OKC to reach 70 wins as of the time of writing.

The Thunder faced bigger injuries last season. Chet Holmgren missed 50 games. Isaiah Hartenstein missed the beginning of the season. Jalen Williams was revealed to have a wrist injury that he endured for the whole playoffs. Ajay Mitchell came back late in the season too after missing 46 games. All of these injuries, and yet OKC went on to be at full strength by April and won the chip. Availability is indeed the best ability for every player on the team.

Defense Wins Championships – And Games

The Thunder were the league’s best defensive team last season. They proved that defense wins championships by June 2025, and by extension, plenty of games. OKC led the league in defensive rating, opponent field goal percentage, and opponent turnovers in the season alone. Remember, forcing your opponent to shoot at a low percentage is a start. However, wreaking havoc by forcing turnovers is another.

It’s worth noting that with guys like Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, and Cason Wallace, OKC has the tools to defend well. They registered 10.2 steals per 100 possessions, which is the best in the last 12 years. This is also considering the fact that reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also one of the top leaders in steals with a total of 131. That’s the second most behind Dyson Daniels, who had 229.

Again, this considers injuries. OKC has plenty of players who missed chunks of games last season. And yet, the Thunder managed to win a lot and be the best defensive team. Now imagine if they are fully healthy.

Chemistry is at an All-Time High

One thing that matters a lot for winning teams is chemistry. Oklahoma City doesn’t lack a lot when it comes to that. Their young core is well-connected with one another, and this is a great sign of how OKC can reach 70 wins. Even new players or those from the Oklahoma City Blue (G-League affiliate) are already in on the post-game interview huddles.

Their big three has also seen massive extension deals in the offseason. This guarantees a strong bond between them, and they are definitely due for a bigger season now more than ever.

Strong chemistry has often resulted in teams winning massive games. Players who trust one another will likely get the best performances in the game, and it says a lot about the Thunder’s chances. At this point, they are still poised to repeat, and those 70 wins are not that unlikely as well.

With the season just a few days in, Oklahoma City will surely close in for the kill. OKC’s 70 wins is not a probability anymore, but a sign of things to come. If you’re all-in on the Thunder, there’s even a chance for them to eclipse that 70-win mark. At best? A 74-8 may be in the books by the end of the season.

© DOUG HOKE/THEOKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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