Are we witnessing the most unstoppable force in NBA history? The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 12-game winning streak has the basketball world in awe, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads: When will this juggernaut finally stumble? But before we dive into the Thunder’s dominance, let’s rewind and catch you up on the latest NBA action, where streaks are ending, teams are rising, and others are falling apart at the seams.
Every Monday, we bring you the highlights of the NBA’s wild ride. This week, the spotlight is on the NBA Cup group play wrapping up, setting the stage for elimination games that promise high-stakes drama. We’ll also dissect the teams that crumbled under pressure and missed their shot at glory. And, of course, we’ll tackle the Thunder’s refusal to lose, trying to predict when—or if—their streak will end.
But first, let’s dive into the extended version of The Bounce’s NBA Stock Report, a Monday tradition in our free daily newsletter. If you haven’t already, sign up here (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/the-bounce/) to get the latest NBA insights delivered straight to your inbox. Let’s rewind!
NBA Stock Report Extended
📈 Orlando Magic (12-8): Remember when the Magic were 4-6 after a brutal loss to Boston, leaving fans questioning Jamahl Mosley’s job security? Fast forward to now, and they’ve won eight of their last 10 games—with Paolo Banchero sidelined for most of that stretch. Their offensive rating has skyrocketed from 20th to 4th, and their defense is now 5th in the league. They’ve beaten the Knicks (twice), Trail Blazers, Warriors, 76ers, and Pistons, all while winning their NBA Cup group. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can they sustain this without Banchero? Or is this just a temporary hot streak?
📉 Milwaukee Bucks (9-12): The Bucks’ season has been a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. A seven-game losing streak was snapped thanks to the hapless Brooklyn Nets, but Milwaukee’s struggles run deep. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, they’re a shell of themselves, posting a putrid minus-11.5 points per 100 possessions. And this is the part most people miss: Even with Giannis, their offense is barely holding together. Is this a championship contender or a team on the brink of collapse?
📈 Los Angeles Lakers (15-4): The Lakers are on a seven-game winning streak, sitting comfortably in second place in the West. LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves are finally clicking, with Dončić and Reaves combining for 64.7 points per game during this stretch. But their schedule has been soft—can they keep it up when the competition gets tougher? Or will their chemistry crumble under pressure?
📉 LA Clippers (5-15): What happened to the Clippers? After a promising start, they’ve gone 2-13 and are now one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Even with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac on the floor, they’re getting outscored. Bold prediction: If they don’t turn it around soon, this could be Ty Lue’s last season at the helm.
📈 Cooper Flagg: The No. 1 pick has finally started to live up to the hype. After a slow start, Flagg just became the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game. Over his last 10 games, he’s averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. But his 3-point shooting is still a work in progress. Thought-provoking question: Is he the franchise savior the Mavericks need, or just another overhyped prospect?
📉 Dallas Mavericks (6-15): Speaking of the Mavericks, they’re in freefall. With the worst offense in the league, they’re averaging just 106.0 points per 100 possessions—barely better than last season’s disastrous Wizards. Anthony Davis’s absence hasn’t helped, but is that really an excuse? Controversial take: This team is one Kyrie Irving trade away from being a contender… or a complete disaster.
The Big Story: NBA Cup Advances to Elimination Games
The NBA Cup group play concluded on Friday, setting up elimination games starting December 9th. Here are the matchups you can’t miss:
- Heat vs. Magic (Dec. 9): A battle for Florida supremacy. Both teams have transformed their pace of play, but who will come out on top?
- Knicks vs. Raptors (Dec. 9): The winner of this game officially wins the OG Anunoby-RJ Barrett trade. High stakes, indeed.
- Suns vs. Thunder (Dec. 10): A showdown between two red-hot teams. Can the Suns slow down the Thunder’s historic streak?
- Spurs vs. Lakers (Dec. 10): LeBron vs. Wembanyama? Yes, please. If both teams are healthy, this could be the game of the year.
Final Thoughts on Group Play
- The Cavaliers choked away their wild card chance, losing to the Hawks by seven when they needed a 17-point win. Postseason PTSD, anyone?
- The Pistons’ 13-game winning streak ended, but they’re still atop the East. Is this sustainable?
- The Timberwolves blew an eight-point lead in the final 69 seconds against the Suns, missing their shot at the West wild card. Ouch.
The Week Ahead: When Will the Thunder Lose Again?
The Thunder’s 12-game winning streak ties their second-longest in franchise history, and they’re poised to tie their record of 15 straight wins. With games against the struggling Warriors, Mavericks, and Jazz, it’s hard to see them losing anytime soon. But if they win all those, they’ll face the Suns in the NBA Cup—a team that just gave them a tough fight. Bold question: Are the Thunder unbeatable, or is there a chink in their armor waiting to be exposed?
If they keep winning, we could be looking at 22 straight victories. But even if they lose the NBA Cup championship, their winning streak technically continues, since Cup games don’t count toward the regular season record. Final thought: Is this Thunder team the greatest we’ve ever seen? Let the debate begin in the comments.
