The Oklahoma City Thunder are emerging as one of the best perimeter-defending teams of the 21st century, alongside the Bruce Bowen-led San Antonio Spurs and the Tony Allen-led Memphis Grizzlies. Their defensive dominance was on full display in a 118-112 win over the Boston Celtics, where they held the defending champions to just 20-of-63 shooting from beyond the arc.
Luguentz Dort locked down Jayson Tatum, Cason Wallace shut down Jaylen Brown, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hounded Jrue Holiday. With Chet Holmgren providing rim protection, the Celtics had no easy paths to the basket, making it clear that OKC’s defense is among the elite.
Oklahoma City Thunder Showcase Elite Defense with Consistency and Statistical Dominance
This wasn’t a one-off performance for the Thunder. When these two teams met earlier in the season on January 5, OKC held the Celtics to season-lows in points (92), field goal percentage (37%), and three-point percentage (20%).
Such defensive consistency underscores the Thunder’s ability to stifle elite offenses, making them a nightmare matchup for any opponent. Their disciplined and relentless approach has drawn comparisons to some of the best defensive teams in recent history.
Oklahoma City Thunder Establish Themselves as the NBA’s Most Dominant Defensive TeamThe Thunder’s perimeter defense is so strong that multiple players deserve recognition for All-Defensive teams. Dort, Wallace, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Holmgren have all put up elite defensive numbers.
Gilgeous-Alexander ranks first in defensive win shares (minimum 25 minutes played), with Williams third and Holmgren seventh. Dort and Wallace are also among the top 25. Additionally, all five players rank within the top 15 in defensive rating, proving that OKC’s success isn’t just about effort—it’s backed by elite production.
Luguentz Dort Deserves Recognition as the Best Defender in the NBA
Dort deserves serious consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award. While his advanced metrics might not be as flashy as those of his teammates, he takes on the toughest defensive assignments night after night.
His impact is evident in his performances against top scorers, holding Anthony Edwards, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and several other stars to inefficient shooting nights. His ability to neutralize elite offensive threats makes him the heart of OKC’s defensive identity.
For those who claim defense is dead in the modern NBA, the Thunder are proving otherwise. They are holding teams to just 33.5% shooting from three, an incredible feat in a league that thrives on perimeter scoring.
As the playoffs approach and the game slows down, teams will struggle to score against OKC’s suffocating defense. With their combination of perimeter stoppers and elite rim protection, the Thunder could be the toughest defensive challenge any contender faces this postseason.
