73–9 Vs 26–5: Why The Warriors’ Historic Run Still Sets The NBA Standard

Measuring the 2015–16 Warriors Against Today’s Thunder

Historic regular seasons invite comparison, and with Oklahoma City sprinting out to a 26–5 start, the inevitable parallels to the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors are already flying. On paper, both teams feel dominant. In reality, the paths and the margins couldn’t be more different.

The NBA's Gold Standard: 2015–16 Golden State Warriors (73–9)

The 2015–16 Warriors didn’t just win games they erased the idea of what a “hot start” looked like. Golden State opened the season 24–0 before finally taking their first loss, a run that still feels unreal a decade later.

Even more impressive was the consistency that followed. That Warriors team never lost to the same opponent twice all season and never dropped back-to-back games, a level of week to week dominance that kept the record chase alive well into spring. By the time Golden State suffered its fifth loss, they had already piled up 48 wins, putting them in uncharted territory at the All-Star break.

Of course, the season’s legacy remains complicated. Despite finishing 73–9, the Warriors ultimately fell in the NBA Finals, blowing a 3–1 lead and losing in seven games to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The record stood, but the ring didn’t follow.

The Reality Check: 2024–25 Oklahoma City Thunder (26–5)

Oklahoma City’s 26–5 start is impressive by any normal standard but when stacked against the 73–9 benchmark, the cracks are appearing quickly.

The Thunder lost their first game after just eight wins, a far cry from Golden State’s perfect opening sprint. They’ve already absorbed five losses in only 31 games, matching the Warriors’ fifth loss total well before Golden State did.

Matchups have also been an issue. Oklahoma City has lost all three meetings with the Spurs this season, including the NBA Cup Championship, and suffered back-to-back losses to San Antonio this week, something the 2015–16 Warriors simply never allowed to happen against any opponent.

From here, the math gets brutal. To merely tie the Warriors’ 73–9 record, the Thunder would need to finish the season 47–4 the rest of the way. Their next three games, all at home against the 76ers, Hawks, and Trail Blazers are must wins if the record chase is even going to remain theoretical.

Perspective Matters

This isn’t a knock on Oklahoma City. A 26–5 start still signals a legitimate contender with elite upside. But the 2015–16 Warriors weren’t just great, they were surgically consistent, historically disciplined, and relentless night after night.

The Thunder may be building something special, but the comparison highlights just how absurd that Warriors season truly was and why the 73–9 record remains one of the hardest achievements in modern sports to contextualize. But if OKC is able to bring home another title this year they will be hard pressed to be upset even if they don't capture or match the regular season win record.

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