What happened
ESPN highlighted that the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder are 6-0 so far in the 2026 NBA playoffs, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams leading the charge. The post comes amid a stretch of dominant performances as OKC defends its title. Lakers coach JJ Redick recently described the Thunder as physically imposing and difficult to officiate against.
Why it matters
A 6-0 start signals OKC is the clear favorite to repeat, with Shai's MVP-caliber play and Jalen Williams' two-way impact stabilizing the rotation. The undefeated run reinforces the Thunder's status as the league's most complete team and tilts championship odds further in their favor. Opponents are increasingly framing the matchup around physicality and whistle disparities, which speaks to how few cracks remain in OKC's game.
What to watch
Watch the Thunder's next series for whether the unbeaten run continues and how opposing coaches adjust to OKC's physicality. Officiating discourse and Shai's usage rate are the storylines to track.