At 26–4, this season’s Oklahoma City Thunder are crashing a club historically reserved for eventual champions and all-time greats. Oklahoma City has paired elite two-way efficiency with poise far beyond its years, overwhelming opponents through defensive pressure, ball movement, and late-game execution. That’s no hot streak fueled by luck or schedule quirks; it represents sustained dominance reflected in net rating, point differential, and consistency night after night. When teams reach this benchmark, history says they don’t fade quietly — they shape the title race. And suddenly, the Thunder aren’t a feel-good story anymore. They’re a problem.

In the NBA’s 75-plus seasons, starting 26–4 or better has been a near–gold standard for championship credibility. Using the attached table as the backbone, the takeaway is blunt: teams that reach this threshold aren’t just hot — they’re historically dominant, and they usually finish the job.

The list is short, selective, and stacked with all-time greats. The 1995–96 Chicago Bulls (27–3) set the template, pairing an elite net rating with a defense that strangled opponents nightly. They went on to win 72 games and the title. The 2015–16 Golden State Warriors raised the ceiling further, sprinting to a 28–1 start behind historically efficient offense and pace. While that season ended short of a championship, it still underscored how rare this air is.

Most teams on the table followed a more familiar script. The 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers rode a 33-game winning streak to a title. The 2012–13 Miami Heat paired LeBron James’ peak efficiency with a 27-game win streak and finished as champions. Even teams that didn’t win it all — like the 2006–07 Dallas Mavericks — still posted MVP seasons, elite point differentials, and gaudy win totals.

Across the data, the common threads are overwhelming. These teams typically rank top-two in net rating, play at a sustainable efficiency level on both ends, and rarely rely on outlier shooting luck. A 26–4 start isn’t just about wins; it reflects dominance possession by possession.

Historically, teams reaching this benchmark convert it into Finals appearances at an extremely high rate, with championships being the expectation rather than the hope. In short, when an NBA team starts 26–4, history says you’re not watching a contender — you’re watching a season that will be remembered.

IMAGE CREDIT: All-Pro Reels