Across the NBA, the All-Star break is about to start, and while it is an opportunity for those participating in the weekend’s festivities to strut their stuff, for most players, it means getting about a week off, resting, recharging and preparing for the stretch run.
There were several big trades made across the league prior to last week’s trade deadline, and while at least one of those trades could change the landscape of the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain far and away the best team in the West.
ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike said that the biggest question going into the All-Star break is whether the West is the Thunder’s to win or if the West will be up for grabs.
“Will the Thunder win the West? Or will the West remain wild?” @chiney‘s biggest question headed into the All-Star break 🤔 pic.twitter.com/gbZ2msFTys
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 12, 2025
The Thunder came into Wednesday with a 43-9 record, which is the best record in the NBA and puts them 7.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, who are in second place in the West.
They may not have the most talented roster in the league, but they do rank sixth in offensive rating, fourth in points per game and first in defensive rating.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their franchise player, is leading everyone with 32.6 points a game and seems to be the favorite to win this season’s MVP award, and third-year forward Jalen Williams seems to be blossoming into a star.
After Oklahoma City, there seem to be a number of teams that have a real shot at reaching the Western Conference Finals, and perhaps the only question surrounding Oklahoma City is whether their young roster is ready to win it all.
