Oklahoma City is 3-0 with a net rating of 10.4, built on a defensive rating of 97.0. The rotation behind those numbers has already lost Jalen Williams, whose listed return date is March 2, 2027.
Defense Does the Heavy Lifting
A 97.0 defensive rating against a 107.4 offensive rating produces the 10.4 net. Opponents scored 104, 84 and 101 in the three wins. That is a strong start and a short one: the Clippers game stood at 76-77 after three quarters before the Thunder won the fourth 31-25. Nine lead changes and twelve ties say the margin was earned late. A net rating of 10.4 over three games does not yet say it will last.
A Star Carrying the Scoring
Gilgeous-Alexander averages 27.7 points while shooting 30.4 percent from three, so the scoring is not riding on his outside shot. He had 34 on 13-26 shooting against the Clippers and went 7-8 at the line. Williams is second at 13.7 points, and Ajay Mitchell's 18 points in 28 minutes Sunday are one early answer to that absence. Mitchell is shooting 14.3 percent from three, though, so the replacement scoring is not settled.
Payroll, Injuries and Phoenix
Payroll is $214.8M against a tax line of $200.4M, and the two largest contracts, $41.5M each for Williams and Chet Holmgren, are both on the injury list. Williams carries the March 2, 2027 date. Holmgren, Cason Wallace, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber each carry October 28. Phoenix arrives 1-1 with a net rating of -14.4 over two games, and Devin Booker is averaging 33.0 points. ESPN's preview pointed to his 43-point game. Mark Williams is out for the Suns.
How good are the Thunder through three games?
They are 3-0 and the third seed in the West, with a net rating of 10.4 and a defensive rating of 97.0. Three games is too few to call that a settled level.
When is Jalen Williams expected back?
He is listed out with a left ankle injury and a return date of March 2, 2027. No other timeline is listed.
