After last season crowned Shai Gilgeous Alexander as the league’s biggest winner, the Canadian star swept up regular season MVP, Finals MVP, and the championship in a single, unforgettable run. Yet even as fans flip between highlights and a late night BD Cricket Match, the Oklahoma City Thunder story clearly is not finished. General manager Sam Presti moved quickly in the offseason to lock up Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, preserving the core trio and backing it with serious financial commitment. That faith has been rewarded. Since the new season tipped off, the Thunder have played with overwhelming offensive force, storming to a remarkable 24–1 record in their first 25 games and putting even the Warriors’ legendary 73–9 season under quiet pressure.
Across 35 regular season games so far, Gilgeous Alexander has averaged 31.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.3 steals. Those numbers have once again placed him firmly in the MVP conversation. Still, brilliance does not always tell the full story. Compared with Anthony Edwards, his influence in defining moments feels less decisive. Edwards, the Timberwolves’ former top pick, may show emotion on the court, but his performance rarely wavers. In two dramatic clashes with the Spurs, both games featured large deficits, yet the endings could not have been more different. One win came from Edwards reading Victor Wembanyama’s defense and delivering a near buzzer beater, while the rematch saw him explode for 55 points to drag a 25 point hole back into relevance. Even in defeat, the spectacle was undeniable.
Official league data for the 25–26 season later confirmed what many sensed while watching between a BD Cricket Match and NBA replays. Edwards leads the league in clutch time scoring efficiency, producing more points per minute with elite accuracy. Gilgeous Alexander still ranks among the top five, but next to Edwards, the gap becomes clearer. Edwards himself admitted that facing Wembanyama has pushed him to unlock a higher level, turning rivalry into fuel rather than fear.
Wembanyama’s own rise has been just as striking. Now firmly a top tier presence, the third year big man carried San Antonio in late game moments against both Boston and Minnesota. After last season ended early due to blood clot concerns, doubts surrounded his playing style. Instead of forcing shots, he refined his craft, transforming the free throw line and elbow areas into reliable scoring zones. His jump shot has since become a signature weapon, and a long term max extension next summer feels inevitable.
Watching the youth movement flourish feels refreshing, especially during quiet stretches of a BD Cricket Match, yet Stephen Curry continues to command attention. Golden State’s record may hover around the play in zone, but Curry’s gravity still bends defenses. His shooting instinct remains etched into muscle memory, allowing him to rise over tight coverage when it matters most. For Warriors fans, that is still a blessing. With Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler offering uneven support, Steve Kerr has leaned heavily on Curry’s remaining prime. Living off past glory is risky, and time waits for no one.