There might not be a stranger, more mind-twisting storyline in the NBA this season than this:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have benched Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the fourth quarter of their last 10 games… and somehow went 12–1 without Jalen Williams.
Read that again.
Benching your franchise superstar — a reigning MVP, the league’s most automatic half-court bucket, and arguably the best player in the world right now — should be a death sentence for most teams. For the Thunder, it’s become their biggest competitive advantage.
And this is where today’s collab comes in. Joining this breakdown is @PlayoffJayy_, aka one of the smartest rising analysts on X. You can follow him here:
🔗 https://x.com/PlayoffJayy_
Here was his take when I asked him about this mind-bending Thunder run:
“Having Shai sit during the 4th quarter can actually be a good thing because it gives other players time and space to grow. Even without Jalen Williams, we’ve gone 12–1, but his return could have a big impact on the team’s chemistry since he hasn’t played in a while due to his ligament injury. Once he’s back, though, we should be better than ever.” — @PlayoffJayy_
And honestly… he might be spot on.
Why Benching Shai Is Even Possible
Let’s start here:
Shai is averaging MVP numbers in three quarters.
OKC hasn’t needed him in the fourth because they’ve been annihilating teams by the end of the third. But it goes deeper.
This is a long-term playoff play.
By letting Shai rest, Mark Daigneault is forcing the rest of the roster to build late-game reps without relying on the superstar safety net. Playoff basketball is slower, nastier, and more matchup-dependent. You win it with players who can operate when your main option gets trapped.
Here are the benefits of this wild strategy:
- Cason Wallace has taken huge leaps as a secondary ball-handler.
- Lu Dort has become a legitimate offensive threat instead of a late-game liability.
- Chet Holmgren has gotten more touches and decision-making reps in crunch time.
This isn’t just development — it’s preparation.
What Makes This Even Crazier: They’re Doing This Without J-Dub
This is the part that people aren’t talking about enough.
Jalen Williams hasn’t played due to a ligament injury… and OKC STILL went 12–1.
When I asked @PlayoffJayy_ about this, he highlighted exactly why J-Dub’s return is going to be even bigger than people realize:
“His return could have a big impact on the team’s chemistry… Once he’s back, though, we should be better than ever.”
And he’s right — because J-Dub is the connector.
He’s the glue between Shai and Chet.
He’s the pressure valve when defenses overload one side.
He’s the silent engine behind OKC’s spacing, cutting, pace, and versatility.
When he returns, OKC isn’t just getting back a scorer — they’re regaining their rhythm machine.
Imagine a team that is already blowing out the league without their second-best on-ball creator suddenly adding him back into the ecosystem.
That’s terrifying.
Are the Thunder the Best Built Team in the NBA?
With all the noise surrounding the West — the Lakers imploding, Phoenix’s drama, Denver’s bench issues, Dallas collapsing, Memphis stuck in purgatory — OKC feels like the one team that has every ingredient:
- A top-3 player in the world
- A top-3 defense
- A top-3 coaching staff
- A deep, interchangeable roster
- Elite chemistry
- Youth, durability, energy, hunger
- And now… late-game reps without leaning on Shai
This is championship construction.
This is how dynasties are quietly built.
Not through big signings.
Not through superteam formations.
But through reps, trust, development, and insane discipline.
If OKC is already this good without J-Dub and without using Shai in crunch time…
What happens when they actually unleash all of it at once?
We might find out soon — and the league may not be ready.
Huge shoutout again to @PlayoffJayy_ (🔗 https://x.com/PlayoffJayy_) for the collab on this one. His insight on OKC’s growth, chemistry, and long-term vision was crucial to this breakdown.
The Thunder aren’t just coming.
They might already be here.
