We may only be about three weeks into the 2024-25 NBA season, but already it's evident that this OKC Thunder team is special.
From high-impact individual performances by stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams and key newcomers such as Alex Caruso to their elite two-way play as a collective that has them ranked atop the league in net rating (17.1), Mark Daigneault's squad seems as close to flawless as a team can possibly be.
Because of this sensational level of production, not only are the Thunder breaking records from within their own franchise, as this marks the first time since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008 where they've started 7-0, but they've also already stamped their name into the league's all-time record books in several different areas.
Historic feats OKC Thunder have already accomplished in 2024-25
First 7-0 team in league history to win each game by double-digit margins
This Oklahoma City Thunder team has proven itself to be tremendous on both ends of the floor, but easily their most noteworthy area of expertise to this point in the season is on the defensive side of the ball.
As a unit, they lead the league in several key statistical categories, including steals (13.1), blocks (7.4), defensive rating (93.8), and, perhaps most impressive, opponent field goal percentage (39.0), the latter of which is the lowest it's been since the 2008-09 campaign.
This defensive excellence has helped the Thunder win all of their matchups thus far by double-digits, making them the first-ever 7-0 team to do so in NBA history, per ESPN's findings.
Most 'Stocks' per game by a team in league history
Sticking with the topic of this team's truly special defensive efforts, the folks at StatMuse came across an intriguing historical accomplishment that should simultaneously be viewed as both exciting and unsurprising.
According to the outlet, the Thunder find themselves averaging 20.57 stocks (combination of steals and blocks) per game, which, per their findings, is the highest average a team has registered in league history.
Leading the charge in the blocks department is shot-swatting extraordinaire, Chet Holmgren, who finds himself averaging 3.1 a night, which ranks second in the association behind Victor Wembanyama's 3.9 -- some things never change!
As for steals, fellow budding star Jalen Williams paces all OKC players at 2.1 per game, which ties him for fourth in the league alongside Kings star De'Aaron Fox.