After looking dominant through the opening portion of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have run into a more challenging stretch.
Over their last 12 games, Oklahoma City has gone an even 6–6, a span that included a one-sided 124–97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday that served as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the NBA.
Head coach Mark Daigneault framed those struggles as part of the process for a team with big expectations.
“When you win the championship and you start the way we started, it comes with the territory,” Daigneault said, according to Cliff Brunt of the Associated Press.
He added that facing adversity can be useful, noting, “I think it gives you a unique opportunity to really improve through that,” while also pointing out, “It’s a competitive privilege to be a team that other teams are up to play for.”
Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also downplayed any concern about the recent dip.
“There’s a lot of games left in the season,” he said, emphasizing that inconsistency is unavoidable over such a long schedule.
Reflecting on the ups and downs, Gilgeous-Alexander explained, “We’ve won big. We’ve lost big. Some nights are going to be bad. Some nights are going to be great.”
For him, the key is what happens next.
“But regardless, you have to try to get better the next day,” he said, adding that this mindset is essential for long-term success.
“I think that’s what allows you to, I guess you can say, be resilient. It’s hard, obviously, but the best teams do it, and that’s who we’re trying to be.”
Thunder Notes: Slump, SGA, Caruso, Trade Deadline, Carlson https://t.co/MAL3IRUeLH pic.twitter.com/1gFBqJzk3n
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 7, 2026
