Oklahoma City Thunder bask in new points differential record

Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said his players deserve a moment to bask in their achievements after they smashed the record for scoring differential in an NBA season.

The Thunder, who had already sealed the top seed in the Western Conference with a thrilling win over the Phoenix Suns last week, finished the regular season 68-14.

They capped a terrific campaign by beating the New Orleans Pelicans 115-100 on Sunday, with Aaron Wiggins posting a game-high 28 points as their usual starters were rested.

The margin of victory was significant, as they completed the regular season having outscored opposing teams by an average of 12.9 points per game.

That beat the previous mark that had stood for more than 50 years, with the Los Angeles Lakers having outscored teams by 12.3 points per game in 1971-72.

The Thunder will open their playoff campaign at home on April 20 against the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings or Dallas Mavericks.

And while Daigneault would not appreciate his players losing focus ahead of the postseason, he also feels they deserve to reflect on a job well done in the regular season.

"We can appreciate and be grateful for the things we've accomplished and still be hungry. Both things can be true," Daigneault said.

"We've got a young team and I think it's important for them to understand some of the things we've accomplished.

"Franchise record for wins is a great accomplishment. Some of the other things we've accomplished together are great accomplishments.

"We don't take them lightly. We're grateful for them and we can still be hungry despite that.

"It was an unbelievable regular season. It was a special group of guys, and they deserve these sorts of things."

The tradition continuesThunder fans welcomed our guys back to OKC after the final road trip of the regular season #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/eJaX9HrDdK
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 14, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is favourite to land the NBA's MVP award after averaging 32.7 points per game throughout the season, said the Thunder will not change their approach in the playoffs.

"We all know what got us to this point," Gilgeous-Alexander said.

"It's just about doubling down on that and keeping our heads down and trusting the work. We got this far for a reason. Just don't veer off of it."

The Pels, meanwhile, have missed the playoffs after making it in two of their three previous seasons under head coach Willie Green, who is unsure if he will stay on in 2025-26.

"I haven't had any discussions or any talks yet," Green said when asked about his future.

"I didn't do great. I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team. We failed. I failed."