The Thunder have gotten off to a great start to begin the 2024-2025 NBA season. They are 3-0, their best start since 2016, and are approaching their best start in franchise history, which was 5-0 in 2011. The Thunder have beaten every team by at least 15 points and have a net rating of 18.
4. They are doing this despite their offense struggling out of the gate. The Thunder are shooting only 44.
4% from the field and a disastrous 27.6% from three . However, the Thunder have a 90.
8 defensive rating, which is the best in the league. It has been this tenacious, turn-you-over Thunder defense that has gotten them to this point. Nevertheless, the question now becomes whether or not the Thunder will be able to play this high-level defense for a full 82-game season.
Today, we will look at the reasons why this Thunder team can maintain this for the whole season. The Thunder Defense is Off to an Impressive Start Thunder’s Ability to Force Turnovers Every NBA team is going to have turnovers after every game. We are all human, and we make mistakes, that is no different for NBA players.
However, when NBA teams usually turn the ball over, it is because they make a bad pass or they do something wrong. That has not been the case with this Thunder team; they are forcing other teams to turn the ball over. Whether that be through stealing the ball, being in the passing lanes, or making a play on the ball.
Through three games, OKC has forced 20.7 turnovers per game which ranks first in the league.
