Oklahoma City isn’t just winning; they’re entertaining, experimenting, and, in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s case, maybe even inventing some new moves along the way. With the Thunder putting up a monstrous 137-114 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, here are the five biggest takeaways from an electric night in the Pacific Northwest.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s “Splash if I Can” Experiment
Shai’s trying something new this season: a love affair with the off-dribble three. Gone are the days of his “I’ll-see-you-in-the-paint” mentality. Now, he’s letting them fly from deep—and with mixed results. Last season, he was far more selective and accurate, shooting a respectable 37% on just 2.6 off-dribble threes per game. But in this bold new chapter, he’s nearly doubled his attempts, though his current percentage (25.6%) is practically begging for mercy.
Against Portland, Shai hoisted up six off-dribble threes, only to see five of them sail wide. But hey, he nailed one! And the Thunder? They’re not worried. If Shai keeps missing at this rate, at least they’ll have a head start in the league’s first-ever self-made brick wall. It’s still early, and if Shai can push that efficiency up, OKC will be scarier than ever.
2. The Thunder’s “Lineup Mad Scientist” Era
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City’s reigning Coach of the Year, seems to think he’s auditioning for a Dr. Frankenstein remake. The Thunder rolled out a five-guard lineup that probably had the Portland bench doing double-takes. Imagine rookie Dillon Jones—yes, the guy who played center at Weber State—filling in as the Thunder’s “big” at the five. With Jones, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Shai, and Cason Wallace all swarming around, it was either madness or genius, depending on who you ask.
Despite its chaotic charm, the lineup managed a +1 rating in the final minutes of the first quarter. No team experiments like OKC, and when you’ve got a coach who treats the lineup like a DJ mixer, you just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
3. Scoot Henderson’s “Two Steps Forward, One Step… Sideways?”
For Portland fans, watching Scoot Henderson is starting to feel like a prolonged rollercoaster. The third overall pick from 2023 has flashes of greatness but is still working out the kinks. In his showdown with OKC, Scoot tallied eight points on 3-of-8 shooting, dishing five assists and grabbing three boards. His drives showed strength, but OKC’s defense knew better than to cover him beyond the arc, where his range has been, well, let’s say “selective” at best.
Against OKC’s top-ranked defense, Scoot struggled to make the leap to impact player. However, he’s been better than last season (not a high bar, but progress!), and if he keeps slowing down and sharpening his decision-making, Portland fans may have something to cheer for soon enough.
4. Ajay Mitchell Is Here, and He’s Ready to Stick
In a Thunder team loaded with young talent, second-round pick Ajay Mitchell is already making waves as a solid rotation guard. With eight points in 17 minutes against the Blazers, Mitchell fit seamlessly into OKC’s drive-and-kick offense. He’s a crafty finisher who pressures defenses, and his quick ball movement and solid drives make him the perfect addition to this Thunder team’s relentless pace.
Mitchell didn’t just bring points—he brought some seriously sharp play that didn’t always show up in the stat sheet. Keep an eye on him because this guy could be a key rotation piece for years to come.
5. Deandre Ayton’s “Welcome to the League, Chet” Moment
Here’s the juicy part: Deandre Ayton and Chet Holmgren’s clash in the paint. While the Thunder stole the show, Ayton schooled the young Thunder center. Holmgren fouled four times in just 18 minutes, putting up six points with a lone rebound. Ayton, meanwhile, went to work with 14 points on various post-ups and putbacks, reminding Chet that there’s a whole lot of grown-man strength in the NBA.
Even on a rough night, Holmgren’s defense still shined. He registered five blocks and shut down multiple Portland drives, holding them to a 30.8% shooting percentage in the paint while on the floor. Ayton may have won this round, but Holmgren’s future looks just as imposing as ever.
Final Take
It’s early days in the season, but the Thunder are building a fascinating identity. Shai’s three-point evolution, Daigneault’s wild experiments, and Chet’s budding superstar potential are all pieces of a team with real playoff aspirations. Keep watching, because if the Thunder keep this pace up, they’ll be as fun to follow as they are confusing to play against.
