The Oklahoma City Thunder made history in the 2024–25 NBA season, clinching their first title since relocating to OKC, and proving that youth, defense, and star power can forge a path to greatness.
Let’s explore three key statistics that define their phenomenal campaign and highlight why this Thunder team will be remembered as one of the most statistically dominant in NBA history.
A Young Team With Championship Maturity
At an average age of 25.6 years, the Thunder became the second-youngest NBA championship team ever, behind only the 1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers.
Despite their youth, they defied the odds—especially considering 23% of their regular-season minutes came from rookies and second-year players, a usage rate higher than any other playoff team this year.
Yet, unlike the other top eight teams in this category—none of whom even made the postseason—Oklahoma City rose all the way to the top.
1. Unmatched Point Differential
The Thunder joined an elite group of teams by securing 84 wins, becoming just the fourth team in NBA history to achieve that milestone. What set them apart even more was their +1,243 point differential across 105 total games—the highest cumulative mark in league history.
- Their +11.8 average point margin per game ranks fourth all-time, just behind legendary squads like the 1995–96 Bulls and 2016–17 Warriors.
- OKC also set a record with 12 wins by 30 or more points, combining regular season and playoff results.
- They’re the only team ever to post multiple 40-point victories in the playoffs, underlining their ability to dominate on the biggest stage.
Teams with a 10+ PPG Differential in NBA History:
| Season | Team | Wins | +/- Total | Avg Diff | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970–71 | Milwaukee Bucks | 78 | +1,208 | +12.6 | Won Finals |
| 2016–17 | Golden State | 83 | +1,184 | +12.0 | Won Finals |
| 1995–96 | Chicago Bulls | 87 | +1,194 | +11.9 | Won Finals |
| 2024–25 | OKC Thunder | 84 | +1,243 | +11.8 | Won Finals |
2. Defense as a Championship Blueprint
The Thunder’s defensive performance stood out in both the regular season and playoffs. They led the NBA in defensive rating, giving up 2.5 fewer points per 100 possessions than the second-ranked Magic—a gap that ranks as the second widest in nearly three decades of data.
Defensive Masterclass in the Playoffs:
- OKC slowed down the Grizzlies and Nuggets, holding them to 19.6 and 15.0 points per 100 possessions below their regular-season averages.
- Those numbers rank second and 13th, respectively, out of 870 playoff series on record.
Their success was fueled by a combination of steals and rim protection:
- In the regular season, they averaged 10.2 steals per 100 possessions, the highest in the last 12 seasons.
- They topped that in the postseason with 10.7 steals, the best in 26 years for any team beyond Round 1.
- Their 247 playoff steals shattered the previous all-time mark since the stat was first tracked 52 years ago.
- Opponents shot just 62.2% in the restricted area, while only 24–25% of shots against OKC came from that high-efficiency zone—league-leading numbers in both regular season and playoffs.
In the NBA Finals, OKC locked down the Indiana Pacers, holding them to 108.1 points per 100 possessions—a full 9.6 points lower than their earlier playoff average. In Game 7, the Thunder sealed the championship by limiting Indiana to 91 points on 92 possessions—just the second time in the postseason the Pacers were held under one point per possession.
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Legendary Season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) capped off an unforgettable season with a trio of accolades: NBA MVP, scoring champion, and Finals MVP—a trifecta not achieved in the last 25 years.
He also became only the fourth player in history to average 30+ points per game for a title-winning team (including playoffs), joining legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rick Barry, and Michael Jordan.
Among those greats, SGA stood out with:
- 32.0 points per game
- 6.4 assists per game
- A league-best 62.2% true shooting percentage (TS%)
Most Efficient 30+ PPG Seasons for Champions:
| Player | Season | PPG | APG | TS% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1970–71 | 30.9 | 3.2 | 59.8% |
| Rick Barry | 1974–75 | 30.2 | 6.1 | 50.8% |
| Michael Jordan (4x) | 1990–96 | 30–33 | 4.3–6.0 | Up to 60.4% |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 2024–25 | 32.0 | 6.4 | 62.2% |
SGA also posted:
- 15 playoff games with 30+ points, just one shy of Jordan and Olajuwon’s all-time record (16).
- 12 playoff games with 30+ points and 5+ assists, the most ever in a single postseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2024–25 season will go down as one of the most statistically impressive campaigns in NBA history.
Their rare blend of youthful depth, dominant defense, and a record-setting MVP performance by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made this title run unforgettable.
The numbers not only validate their success—they point to a future dynasty in the making.