After the 96-84 win over Denver, outlets focused on Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring streak ending, Aday Mara's push for minutes and the cost of keeping a champion together. The numbers from the 2-0 start support some of that talk and cut against other parts of it.
A Streak Ends, a Win Holds
The Athletic reported that Gilgeous-Alexander's 20-point streak ended at 141 games, and ESPN wrote that the Thunder won in spite of his poor shooting. The box score agrees on the shooting: he scored 17 on 6-19 from the field and 3-11 from three. It also shows why the streak ending barely mattered. He finished +21 in 35 minutes, the best mark of the night, and scored 10 in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City won the third 26-16 and the fourth 26-20. Thunderous Intentions argued he was at peace with losing the streak. The bigger story is the defense, which held Nikola Jokic to 5-19 shooting.
Mara, Hartenstein and the Reserves
Thunderous Intentions has pushed the frontcourt debate hardest. Zane Gelphman suggested Isaiah Hartenstein's role could be in danger after Mara's debut in San Antonio, and Mark Nilon read Hartenstein's 'double-bigs' comments as good news for the rookie. Against Denver, the evidence pointed the other way. Mara was -8 in 13 minutes, while Hartenstein played 23 minutes and was in the closing lineup for the final five. Spot minutes for a 21-year-old rookie center are normal growth, not a demotion for a $23.1M veteran. The same outlet's argument that Ajay Mitchell faces Sixth Man competition from his own teammates has more support. Mitchell had 12 points and five steals, Alex Caruso finished +17 over 20 minutes, and the reserves scored 28.
The Tax Math Behind the Defense
RealGM carried a view from an unnamed general manager that the repeater tax is a bigger hurdle for contenders than the apron. For Oklahoma City, that is the real question. Payroll stands at $214.8M against a $200.4M tax line. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren earn $41.5M each and Gilgeous-Alexander $40.8M, and Hoops Rumors reported Cason Wallace's five-year, $139MM extension. Hoops Rumors also collected Brian Windhorst's notes on the Thunder's financial decisions and reported a two-way deal for Micah Peavy. The pick inventory leaves room to act: the Thunder own their first- and second-round picks in 2029 and 2030, with swaps in 2027 and 2028. None of the reporting points to a move yet. The cost of keeping this group together is the storyline to watch.
Did Gilgeous-Alexander's 20-point streak end?
Yes. The Athletic reported it ended at 141 games when he scored 17 in the 96-84 win over Denver on October 22.
Is Aday Mara taking Isaiah Hartenstein's minutes?
Not yet. Against Denver, Hartenstein played 23 minutes and closed the game, while Mara played 13 minutes and finished -8.
