Thunder Report Card: Mid-Season Grades For Every Player

At the halfway point of the 2025-26 regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have the NBA’s best record at 34-7 for the second consecutive season. They are also tied with the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best start through the first 25 games in NBA history.

However, the Thunder hit their first low point of the season, losing four of six, and are 10-6 in their last 16 games. This coincides with the Thunder having yet to play a single game at full strength, as they once again have to deal with injuries, with multiple key core players missing large stretches of the season.

Despite their recent slippage, the Thunder are still on pace to win 65+ games. Now, let’s check in with my mid-season grades for every Thunder player.

Just when one might think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reached his peak as a player, he adds something new to his game and returns even better. After putting together one of the best guard seasons in the modern era en route to his first MVP last season, Gilgeous-Alexander has been even more efficient this year. Through 39 games, he’s averaging 31.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, on 55/40/89 shooting splits.

The consistency with his efficiency and productivity should not be taken for granted, as he’s on pace to win back-to-back MVPs. He’s currently in the midst of a historic scoring stretch. He scored 20+ points in 111 consecutive games (the second-longest streak).

SGA is in company with Michael Jordan as the only guard to average 30 points, five assists, and five rebounds per game on 50% shooting from the floor in three consecutive seasons.

Jalen Williams‘ struggles primarily stem from his recovery from wrist surgery (missed the first 19 games), which has impacted his timing, rhythm, and shooting — leading to lower efficiency and confidence.

However, Williams hasn’t missed a beat defensively; as one of the league’s most versatile defenders, he has also shown flashes offensively, playing his best stretch of basketball over the last few games.

Williams is averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game on 48/28/83 shooting splits. It will take time, and it will be an adjustment for him to get back on track and regain his form. The progression of Williams will be crucial for the Thunder’s hope of repeating.

With Williams missing the early portion of the season, Chet Holmgren has been tasked with more offensive responsibilities. He has responded by playing at an All-Star caliber level and putting himself in the DPOY conversation.

Despite inconsistent offensive production, his defensive impact dropped off during a December stretch. Overall, especially as of late, Holmgren has been stout anchoring the paint for the Thunder.

In 35 games, Holmgren is averaging 17.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game on 57/36/78 shooting splits.

Despite the offensive struggles, Cason Wallace has taken a leap defensively and has made the case to be the best perimeter defender on the Thunder.

While Wallace has been underwhelming overall offensively, he’s still been respectable from deep: shooting 35.1% on 3.8 attempts. He has also been available, playing in 39 games, averaging 7.3 points in 26.3 minutes per game on 41/35/77 shooting splits.

At this point in the season, Wallace should be on the all-defensive first team, as he has been an absolute menace on the defensive end all season. He’s second in the league in steals (2.1) and has the most total steals (84) in the NBA.

It’s been a rough season for Lu Dort. Dort hasn’t had the same defensive impact up to this point in the season. While struggling as a decision-maker and shooter, he’s shooting 38.4% from the floor and 32.4% from deep on 5.6 attempts, the most on the Thunder.

If this trend continues, it will be time to have some uncomfortable conversations about his role with the Thunder.

As the lone true sniper of the team, there’s a lot of pressure on Isaiah Joe.

Joe has come into the season adding a couple of wrinkles — a quicker release and improved mechanics — which have led to him being used more as a movement shooter.

During October, November, and December (25 games), Joe shot 64-for-151 (42.3%) from deep on six attempts.

However, in 2026 (7 games), Joe is in a bit of a cold stretch, shooting 7-for-24 (29%) from deep on only 3.4 attempts.

Overall, Joe is shooting 40.6% from three on 5.5 attempts per game.

Isaiah Hartenstein continues to demonstrate his importance to the Thunder both on and off the court. His impact speaks for itself as he adds another layer to the Thunder — with his playmaking, screen-setting, in the pick-and-roll, and physicality on the glass.

Hartenstein is averaging 11.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, three assists, and 1.9 stocks per game.

The only downside is that Hartenstein has missed 17 games this season, and his absence has been felt.

Aaron Wiggins has had an up-and-down season, with some high flashes and some rough patches. This aligns with his fluctuation in production, especially in December, his worst stretch of the season.

Wiggins has recently turned his play back around — providing a nice balance of scoring and playmaking while playing with more force defensively. Wiggins is currently the Thunder’s sixth-leading scorer, averaging 10.3 points per game, shooting 44.7% from the floor and 38.5% from deep.

His defensive lapses are amplified due to being surrounded by multiple All-Defensive caliber defenders and the NBA’s best overall defense.

Wiggins remains a key piece among the Thunder’s top four creators.

With Hartenstein missing 17 games so far this season, Jaylin Williams becomes more of a necessity in the front-court.

Despite providing rebounding and physicality in the paint, Williams has taken a step back defensively, particularly in defending out in space and as a rim protector.

Williams has struggled to shoot the ball thus far, shooting 35.8% from the floor and 29.7% from deep. Despite the shooting struggles, the intangibles he provides, along with his role as one of the emotional leaders, are so valuable to the Thunder.

We all know Alex Caruso’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet (averaging 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game), as he continues to drive winning for the Thunder with his game-changing defense.

Offensively, he continues to be a connector, but he been inconsistent — from an efficiency standpoint: shooting 43.8% from the floor and 31.5% from deep.

One thing to note: just like last regular season, the Thunder are managing Caruso’s workload (29 games played, 18.4 minutes per game) as they prepare for the playoffs.

After missing the season’s start due to a procedure, Kenrich Williams is now showing his best form.

The efficiency from Williams is evident, as he’s shooting 52.9% from the floor and 41.9% from deep. He’s only playing 13.8 minutes per game, which shows the depth of this roster.

Williams’s attitude and toughness are invaluable, though they often go unnoticed due to the depth of options Coach Mark Daigneault has on this roster.

During Jalen Williams’s absence, Ajay Mitchell has been the biggest benefactor as he’s been the breakout player for Oklahoma City. Mitchell’s importance on this team has risen tremendously, as he not only provides secondary creation but, at times, primary creation, especially in the non-Shai minutes, along with sound decision-making and stability.

Due to his offensive leap, Mitchell’s defensive improvements have gone under the radar, as he has outperformed some of the Thunder’s specialists on that end thus far.

Mitchell has played in 39 games and is averaging 14.1 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 48/34/88 shooting splits.

Ousmane Dieng has improved as a player, but is in a tough situation to receive the necessary development due to Oklahoma City’s rapid ascent into championship contention.

Dieng is averaging 4.3 points on 45.5% from deep, playing 12.2 minutes per game in 18 appearances.

Injuries have been a catalyst in Dieng’s lack of development for Oklahoma City, as he has yet to truly find his footing. All signs point to him landing in a new situation to receive proper development.

Branden Carlson should be beyond being on a two-way contract, as he has shown himself to be an NBA-caliber player when the opportunity has presented itself. He provides floor spacing and has some sneaky athleticism.

Carlson has been productive when called. Averaging five points on 35.2% from deep in 11 minutes per game in 30 appearances.

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