Introduction

The Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that burst out of the gates with a staggering 24-1 record, has recently hit rough waters over a three-week stretch. Claiming dominance at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, the defending champions now find themselves struggling, with a disappointing .500 record in their last 12 games. After being blown out by the Charlotte Hornets, the question on everyone’s lips is: what has gone wrong for the Thunder?

Initial Success and Recent Struggles

The Thunder’s start to the season made them a strong favorite in the league, with many speculating that they were even better than their championship-winning team from last season. Head coach Sam Presti and the fanbase were buoyed by remarkable performances, especially from their star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, the recent performance slump—a 6-6 record that includes unexpected losses—has raised eyebrows and led some to overreact about the team's prospects.

Analyzing the Free-Throw Situation

A pivotal factor in this decline has been the free-throw disparity. Critics have noted that Gilgeous-Alexander was previously one of the most fouled players in the league. He was averaging 10.3 free-throw attempts per 36 minutes before the Timberwolves faced the Thunder on December 19. Since then, however, that number has dropped to 8.9 attempts. The team’s overall free-throw attempts have experienced a similar decline, from 24.7 attempts per game to 22.7—an indicator of a changing officiating landscape that could impact the Thunder's game plan.

Shooting Efficiency and Trends

Beyond free throws, Oklahoma City is facing noticeable issues with shooting efficiency. Prior to their three losses against the San Antonio Spurs starting on December 13, the Thunder were shooting an impressive 37.9% from beyond the arc, ranking fifth in the league. However, since that date, they have struggled significantly—falling to a mere 32.1% from three-point range, positioning them 26th in that span. Even their shooting on wide-open threes has been underwhelming, at a rate of just 34.1%. This anomaly could point to bad shooting luck rather than systemic issues in the team's structure.

Opponents’ Adjusted Responses

Interestingly, the Thunder’s defensive effectiveness has also been under scrutiny. Opposing teams have adapted to Oklahoma City’s defensive style, with opponents shooting a higher percentage from three-point range— moving from 37.1% prior to December 13 to 38.5% afterward. The Thunder must find a way to counter this adjustment to reestablish their dominance on defense.

The Toll of Repeating Success

The pursuit of back-to-back championships can often place an extraordinary burden on championship teams. Having played two grueling seven-game series the previous spring, the physical and mental fatigue could be setting in as the season progresses. However, stats should be framed cautiously: Oklahoma City is, on average, moving faster this season than last—pointing to a team that is still quick and agile overall. It leads to a conclusion that perhaps the fatigue players are facing is more mental than physical.

Looking Ahead

Despite the recent slip, the Thunder have the tools and personnel to rebound from this stretch. Their earlier success demonstrates that they can compete at the highest levels, and with Sam Presti’s foresight, it’s clear that they anticipated facing adversity at some stage in the season. The league’s mantra that 'even the best teams will have bad stretches' now applies to them.

Conclusion

For Thunder fans, there’s no need for panic buttons just yet. This rough patch, while concerning, could serve as a crucial developmental experience for the team. Facing challenges can often sharpen focus and resilience, leading to a more determined squad. Now, the Thunder have an opportunity to recalibrate, fine-tune their approach, and possibly emerge stronger from their recent setbacks—making them a formidable opponent as the season continues.