Even despite the first loss of their season on Wednesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder continue looking like the favorites to win the NBA championship again in 2026. One perhaps underrated reason for that was ironically revealed in their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers: the Thunder's depth of talented scorers is simply unmatched.
Everyone is aware of the type of versatility Oklahoma City possesses on the defensive side of things. All the national analysts talk about how the Thunder have a ton of capable defenders that can make life extremely challenging for the opposition. But on the flip side of things, they also have a multitude of talented offensive players who can be needle-movers on any given night.
Oklahoma City can roll out several players outside of their starting lineup that are capable of scoring 20 or more points on any given night. Ajay Mitchell served as the latest example of this against Portland, putting up 21 points against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. When there's a lineup with no star players on the court, the Thunder still have these types of guys who can hold their own offensively at a high level.
The Thunder's offensive depth is just as strong as their depth on defense
It's this kind of balance on offense that is what separates simply great teams from those that are capable of winning not one but two championships. Mitchell has shown us his confidence, and has proven that he can get his own shot and stay composed whether he is surrounded by starters or other reserves. It's that kind of confidence that mirrors exactly what kind of culture the Thunder have built: one where so many players feel empowered to make plays and let their talents shine.
Everyone knows that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is positively unstoppable. But even on a night where he, Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren aren't having their best performance, Oklahoma City has multiple players capable of creating or finishing a possession. The Thunder are able to stretch defenses so thin because practically every lineup they roll out features so many reliable scoring threats.
At the end of the day, we know that Mark Daigneault's system is built on the kind of read-and-react principles that end up favoring those who can make good decisions on the hardwood, not necessarily always the top players on the depth chart. That's why players like Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and others can come off the bench and immediately impact games.
This is why Thunder fans can continue to feel good about their team's chances of repeating next June. Defense wins championships, but a roster full of 20-point threats builds your depth and makes you impossible to stop all throughout the season.