Thunder Championship: 2025 Warriors Comparison
- The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5. Their upcoming opponent...
- Oklahoma city is favored to win the NBA title, but the Pacers could pose a threat. The rise of this Thunder team evokes memories of the Warriors, who...
- Beyond a similar timeline, the Thunder and that Warriors team share striking resemblances in roster construction, player development, and team chemistry.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the NBA Finals for the first time as 2012, sparking immediate comparisons to the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors, a team that many consider the beginning of a dynasty. Can the Thunder, led by first-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, mirror the Warriors’ championship run? Both teams showcased a top-ranked defense and a dynamic point guard. Moreover, the Thunder echo the Warriors’ roster construction, player advancement, and team chemistry. News Directory 3 has the latest on their journey. Will Jalen Williams follow in Klay Thompson’s footsteps? Discover what’s next for the Thunder’s quest for an NBA title and the meaning of the primary_keyword and secondary_keyword in their run.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Echoes of the 2015 Warriors in NBA Finals Run?
Updated May 29, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012, after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5. Their upcoming opponent will be either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks. As the Thunder pursue their first NBA title, observers are drawing parallels between their trajectory and that of the 2014-15 golden State Warriors.
Oklahoma city is favored to win the NBA title, but the Pacers could pose a threat. The rise of this Thunder team evokes memories of the Warriors, who won their first Western Conference title on May 27, 2015—almost exactly a decade before the Thunder’s recent victory.
Beyond a similar timeline, the Thunder and that Warriors team share striking resemblances in roster construction, player development, and team chemistry. Both franchises saw a first-time MVP lead the charge.
First-time MVPs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s star guard, earned his first MVP award this year, mirroring Stephen Curry‘s MVP season with the Warriors in 2015. Both players were 26 years old and two years removed from their first All-Star selections when they achieved this milestone.
While Gilgeous-Alexander excels as a driver and Curry as a shooter,both are dynamic,score-first point guards who elevate their teammates. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points per game, while Curry averaged 23.8 points per game in their respective MVP seasons. The question remains: Will Gilgeous-Alexander follow Curry’s path by adding a championship to his MVP trophy?
| Points | True Shooting % | 3-Point % | Free Throw Attempts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 32.7 | 63.7 | 30.7 | 12.1 |
| 2015 Stephen Curry | 23.8 | 63.8 | 28.0 | 11.8 |
Top-Ranked Defense
Defense has been key to Oklahoma City’s success, much like it was for the 2014-15 Warriors, who led the league in defensive rating. While Golden State’s offense was celebrated, their defense was equally crucial.
The Thunder’s defense, characterized by long, athletic wings who can switch effectively, creates important pressure, forcing 17.0 turnovers per game. This mirrors the Warriors’ defensive approach, which featured Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, and Shaun Livingston.The Thunder counter with Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, and Aaron wiggins.
Both teams also boast elite rim protection, with Chet Holmgren anchoring the Thunder’s defense and Andrew Bogut playing a similar role for the Warriors.
| Defensive Rating | Offensive Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 Thunder | 107.4 (No. 1) | 114.8 |
| 2014-15 Warriors | 100.4 (No. 1) | 105.8 |
The Second All-Star
Alongside their MVPs, both teams saw a second All-Star emerge. The Warriors found Klay Thompson with the No. 11 pick in 2011, while the Thunder drafted jalen Williams at No. 12 in 2022.Thompson’s first All-Star selection coincided with the Warriors’ first championship. If Oklahoma City wins it all, it will also align with Williams’ first All-Star season.
| Points | True Shooting % | 3-Point % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 Jalen williams | 21.6 | 57.3 | 20.3 |
| 2014-15 Klay Thompson | 21.7 | 59.1 | 20.8 |
What’s next
As the Oklahoma City thunder advance in the NBA Finals, the comparisons to the 2015 Golden State Warriors highlight a potential dynasty in the making. Whether they can replicate the Warriors’ championship success remains to be seen, but the parallels are undeniable.