What happened: Oklahoma City moved up to second in John Schuhmann's NBA power rankings after vaulting into the league's top three in defensive rating. The surge followed consecutive dominant defensive efforts, highlighted by holding the Washington Wizards to 75 points on Nov. 7.
Why it matters: The defensive stinginess has anchored Oklahoma City's strong start in the Western Conference, keeping the team within striking distance of the top seed. Continued dominance on that end reinforces the roster's standing among the league's elite early-season contenders.
By the numbers: The Thunder are 8-2 in 2026-27 through 10 games, holding the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference on a four-game winning streak.
What to watch: Oklahoma City looks to maintain its defensive momentum and extend its four-game winning streak as regular-season action continues.