Revealed: November 6, 2025
As of November 6, each single group within the NBA has now misplaced a recreation. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have been the final bastion. This isn’t an unusual factor, as there are 82 video games, and essentially the most anybody has ever received to begin the season is eighteen. Nevertheless, when a group outlasts others to begin the yr, the query then begins to come up of after they’ll lose their first recreation. For the Thunder, the loss got here not lengthy after these questions began circling.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder come up quick in first loss
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have the makings of a dynasty. They’ve younger stars locked down for years, a Western Convention Finals run, a title, and what looks like one million draft picks to proceed stocking up their roster yr in and yr out. The defending champions being 8-0 to begin the yr was not all that stunning, however it did reinforce this concept that they’re the cream of the crop by a large margin proper now.
Nevertheless, the Portland Path Blazers introduced them again right down to earth with a clutch, two-point win. They trailed heading into the fourth quarter, however they used a 40-point interval to come back again and snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat. The win strikes the Blazers to a really strong 5-3 file, which is stunning contemplating the place they have been final yr and what’s occurred in 2025.
The Blazers received simply 36 video games final yr, so this begin is a big step in the precise path. Nevertheless, it comes with out their head coach. Chauncey Billups is now not with the group as a part of a large playing scandal. The previous NBA celebrity was arrested and charged with wire fraud conspiracy and cash laundering conspiracy for his alleged function in a scheme to rig unlawful, high-stakes poker video games that have been backed by Mafia households. It was a stunning flip of occasions, however by some means, the Blazers have weathered that storm.
The Thunder, who’ve one of many higher defenses in your complete NBA, may do little or no with Deni Avdija, who had 26 factors, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists within the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, scored a layup with about 30 seconds to go, however the remaining minutes have been in any other case a free-throw taking pictures contest that the Thunder couldn’t win. With lower than a second left, Isaiah Joe hit one free throw earlier than lacking the second on goal. This was achieved in order that his teammates may try and put it again and tie the competition, however alas, Robert Williams III rebounded the ball, and the sport got here to an finish. Oklahoma Metropolis’s dream begin was over, though they nonetheless sit atop the Western Convention and have the very best file in your complete NBA. They’re nonetheless title favorites, and Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 35 factors and 9 rebounds, continues to be a real MVP candidate. He’s second within the NBA in scoring with 33.3 factors per recreation, and he’s averaging 5.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He’s additionally taking pictures an otherworldly 51.5% from the ground, which is astonishing for a guard.
The Thunder led by as many as 14, which makes this one a tricky loss to swallow. Nevertheless, within the NBA, 20-point leads evaporate, so it’s arduous to say this was a recreation the Thunder had in hand, particularly as that lead occurred within the third quarter with loads of basketball left to be performed. The Philadelphia 76ers simply blew a 24-point result in the Chicago Bulls, so no lead is protected within the NBA. The gamers are too good, and regardless that there’s a serious expertise hole between the Blazers and the Thunder, any group can win any recreation.
