The Oklahoma City Thunder won 15 of their first 19 games in October and November 2024 with a stifling defense and held their opponents to 103.3 points per 100 possessions – a very high standard for any team. Of course, Oklahoma City recorded 12 wins in 13 official games in December, including knockout victories in the Emirates NBA Cup against the current No. 5 Dallas Mavericks and No. 3 Houston Rockets. The team won 12 straight regular season wins, tying a franchise record, after losing a three-point thriller to Houston.

The Thunder maintained their impeccable defensive numbers throughout December: 11.8 steals per game (No. 1 in the NBA), an opponent effective field goal percentage of 50.4% (No. 1 in the NBA), and an opponent turnover rate of 18.7% (No. 1 in the NBA). and a defensive rating of 103.1 (No. 1 in the NBA). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso averaged at least two steals per game, while Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein blocked at least one shot per game during this month’s action.

However, the year 2024 did not end only with bright sunshine. Oklahoma City reached the Emirates NBA Cup final against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 17, losing 97-81. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points on 24 shots and was topped by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and two steals. The Thunder shot just 5 for 32 (15.6%) from distance. Hartenstein recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a steal in the loss.

All figures from this point onwards do not include NBA Cup Finals statistics as the game did not count towards the official rankings.

Gilgeous-Alexander was again named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in December, making him the default selection for that category. He averaged 33.3 points per game in 13 games and made a league-leading 67.4% true shooting, including a 36.6% rate on 82 3-point attempts. The back-to-back All-NBA First Team member added 5.8 rebounds per game, 5.2 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game and 1.2 blocks per game for a cumulative plus-minus of +183 – Ranked second in the NBA behind the New York Knicks’ Mikal Bridges.

An overall strong month for Gilgeous-Alexander ended on a high note as he reached 40 points three times in five games to start the new year. This stretch also included an efficient 35 points and +27 plus-minus in three quarters against the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting in 13 crucial minutes in December, continuing his timely late shooting streak from early in the season.

Case closed.

Turnover differential remains the Thunder’s greatest strength, although offensive rebound differential has become a less significant weakness as the season has progressed. Oklahoma City posted an offensive rebound percentage of 27.4% (No. 20 in the NBA) and an opponent offensive rebound percentage of 33.1% (No. 28 in the NBA) in the November 15 games ), which is an ugly difference of -5.7%. While the offensive rebound percentage remained identical in December, the Thunder allowed an opponent’s offensive rebound percentage of 29.8% (No. 22 in the NBA) – a difference of -2.4%.

This trend is consistent with Hartenstein’s first full month with the team. The big man has posted a 33.8% defensive rebound percentage in 29.8 minutes per game, the highest of his career, helping the Thunder keep the screen clean for long stretches. Oklahoma City has gotten 6.7% more defensive rebounds with Hartenstein on the floor this season than without him.

1. 133-106 vs. Utah Jazz on December 3, 2024: The Thunder recorded 32 more field goal attempts than the Jazz, largely due to 21 fewer turnovers.

2. 129-92 @ Toronto Raptors on December 5, 2024: Oklahoma City’s bench combined for more made 3-point shots than Toronto’s starters. Kenrich Williams, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins each converted multiple triples.

3. 119-109 @ New Orleans Pelicans on December 7, 2024: Jalen Williams shot over 50% for the last time in 2024. He finished the game with 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

4. 118-104 vs. Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 2024: Gilgeous-Alexander outscored All-Stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined, collecting 39 points on 23 field goal attempts.

5. 111-96 vs. Houston Rockets on December 14, 2024: Oklahoma City tied its season high with 32 free throw attempts. Gilgeous-Alexander alone scored 14 out of 15 in the charity competition.

6. 105-99 @ Orlando Magic on December 19, 2024: The Thunder’s high-octane defense kept the Magic starters at bay, but bench guard Anthony Black led his team with a career-high 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting.

7. 104-97 @ Miami Heat on December 20, 2024: In the one-month anniversary since his debut in Oklahoma City, Hartenstein grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds – including five on offense.

8. 123-105 vs. Washington Wizards on December 23, 2024: Gilgeous-Alexander collected a plus-minus of +25 in his efficient 41-point night, while no other Thunder starter finished above +1.

9. 120-114 @ Indiana Pacers on December 26, 2024: After two early turnovers by Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City committed a loss in the final 45 minutes of the game.

10. 106-94 @ Charlotte Hornets on December 28, 2024: The Thunder made 30 more field goals than free throws, while the Hornets converted four more field goals than free throws.

11. 130-106 vs. Memphis Grizzlies on December 29, 2024: Gilgeous-Alexander shot 13 of 14 from inside the arc, making three fewer 2-point shots than the Grizzlies’ combined starting lineup.

12. 113-105 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on December 31, 2024: The Thunder recorded more steals than turnovers, and the Timberwolves finished the game with eight times as many turnovers as steals.

Oklahoma City plays the defending champion Boston Celtics at Paycom Center tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. CST.

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