The 2025–26 NBA season is already offering the kind of storylines that make the league endlessly compelling. Triumph, struggle, and redemption are woven into the early weeks, and as of November 3, the Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as the league’s brightest light, while the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets find themselves trapped in the dark corners of the standings.
Oklahoma City stands alone as the only undefeated team at 7–0, playing with the same fire that carried them to the championship just months ago. Meanwhile, both the Pelicans and Nets are winless at 0–6, facing early questions about leadership, chemistry, and direction. The contrast between these three franchises could not be starker.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Perfect Start, Same Hunger
The Thunder’s start to the season has been nothing short of sensational. Fresh off their 2025 championship run, many wondered whether the young team could maintain its momentum or fall prey to the familiar “championship hangover.” Instead, they have answered those doubts with dominance, precision, and relentless defense.
Through seven games, Oklahoma City has held opponents to just 109.7 points per game, the second-best defensive mark in the league. Their defensive rotations have been sharp, their transition game seamless, and their confidence unshakable. What makes this even more remarkable is that they’ve done it without All-Star Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined following wrist surgery.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the heart of the team’s rise. Averaging 33.6 points per game, he has firmly planted himself in the MVP conversation. His play this season feels like the natural evolution of a player who has learned to bend the game to his will. His 55-point outburst against the Indiana Pacers was a showcase of scoring artistry, while his 30-point performance against the Pelicans was a reminder that even on an average night, he remains unstoppable.
Head coach Mark Daigneault has once again demonstrated why he is one of the brightest minds in basketball. His ability to maximize his players’ strengths while instilling discipline has kept Oklahoma City balanced and motivated. The locker room energy reflects a team that knows its potential but refuses to grow complacent. With Jalen Williams expected to return in mid-November, the Thunder could soon reach an even higher level of dominance.
New Orleans Pelicans: Searching for Answers Amid Chaos
While Oklahoma City soars, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves grounded by frustration and underperformance. Their 0–6 record has quickly turned optimism into alarm. A season that began with hopes of reclaiming playoff relevance has devolved into a crisis marked by defensive breakdowns and offensive confusion.
The Pelicans’ defense, once expected to be their anchor, has become their downfall. They are allowing opponents to score 125.8 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league. The rotations are slow, communication is lacking, and opponents are exploiting mismatches with ease.
On offense, things look equally grim. Averaging just 107.7 points per game, New Orleans has struggled to find rhythm or consistency. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have shown flashes of brilliance, but the chemistry between them still feels unresolved. Too often, the offense devolves into isolation plays and forced shots rather than cohesive execution.
The result is a staggering net rating of -18.3, the worst in the NBA. Beyond the numbers, though, lies a deeper problem a team that appears disconnected from its own identity.
Head coach Willie Green now faces mounting pressure. Once praised for his leadership and calm demeanor, Green is at the center of growing speculation that he could become the first coach fired this season. The frustration in the locker room is palpable, and sources close to the organization have hinted that management’s patience is wearing thin.
The Pelicans are running out of time to right the ship. The Western Conference is too deep and competitive for slow starts to be forgiven. Unless drastic changes are made soon, New Orleans risks falling into another lost season.
Brooklyn Nets: Searching for a Defensive Soul
If the Pelicans’ struggles are disappointing, the Brooklyn Nets’ start is downright alarming. Six games in, and the Nets are still searching for their first win. What was supposed to be a season of progress and development has instead become a showcase of disarray.
The numbers tell the story. The Nets are giving up 128 points per game, the worst defensive average in the league. Their defensive rating is at the very bottom of the NBA, reflecting a complete breakdown of effort, communication, and structure. Opponents are scoring with ease, finding open shots and exploiting a lack of physicality inside.
Head coach Jordi Fernández has faced the challenge head-on, publicly taking responsibility for the team’s failings. In press conferences, he has admitted that the Nets’ defense “isn’t where it needs to be” and that the group must find its collective identity. His honesty has been refreshing, but the results have yet to follow.
Brooklyn’s offense isn’t faring much better. At just 112.3 points per game, the team sits near the bottom of the league in scoring efficiency. The offense often looks stagnant, relying on isolation possessions instead of fluid movement. There are moments of promise from players like Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas, but the team’s inability to sustain energy for a full game is glaring.
In many ways, the Nets’ situation mirrors their larger organizational uncertainty. Since the departures of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn has been rebuilding its culture from the ground up. But as the losses pile up, questions about patience, leadership, and direction grow louder.
The Tale of Three Teams
The Thunder, Pelicans, and Nets represent three different stages of development and stability. Oklahoma City is a model of balance young, well-coached, and hungry. The Pelicans are a team in crisis, talented but lost in execution. The Nets are rebuilding but seem unsure of what kind of team they want to become.
These contrasts are what make the NBA fascinating. Success and failure are separated not only by skill but by chemistry, leadership, and belief. The Thunder believe in their system. The Pelicans are doubting theirs. The Nets are still trying to discover if theirs exists.
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks will be defining. For Oklahoma City, maintaining focus will be key. Every championship defense tests a team’s ability to stay grounded amid success. For the Pelicans and Nets, survival may depend on how quickly they can fix their flaws before the season spirals out of control.
In New Orleans, all eyes will remain on Willie Green. Another losing streak could spell the end of his tenure. In Brooklyn, the question isn’t just about wins, but about whether Fernández can establish a culture that values defense as much as offense.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, the mood is entirely different. The Thunder are playing with joy, confidence, and purpose. Every game feels like an extension of a team that knows who it is and what it’s capable of achieving.
Conclusion: A League of Contrasts
The early days of the 2025–26 NBA season have already revealed a league defined by extremes. The Thunder are rising with precision and unity, proving that last season’s championship was no fluke. The Pelicans and Nets, however, are stuck in chaos, their paths clouded by uncertainty and unmet potential.
Basketball seasons are marathons, not sprints, but the opening stretch often sets the tone for what lies ahead. For Oklahoma City, the road to another title is clear and bright. For New Orleans and Brooklyn, it is long, dark, and uncertain a reminder that in the NBA, greatness and collapse are often separated by only a few short weeks.
