This young Thunder team was tested to the max and had to find many different, unusual ways to win. Like a season ago, the shots dried up and stopped falling, which forced Oklahoma City’s defense to turn it up a notch and win in chaotic fashion.

In the 2024-25 season, the Thunder conquered the top seed in the Western Conference. And since then, they've followed through in the playoffs by clinching an appearance at the Western Conference Finals. While a lot of the credit goes to a MVP-worthy season by SGA, a lot of their success also hinges on defense.