After Shai Gilgeous Alexander collected nearly every major prize last season, the NBA entered the new campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder carrying enormous expectations, and even viewers moving between basketball highlights and a 12B Sports VR46 session could see that their story was far from complete. The Canadian guard captured regular season MVP, Finals MVP and the championship during a remarkable run, establishing himself as the league’s dominant figure. Oklahoma City responded by protecting the foundation around him. General manager Sam Presti secured long term commitments from Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren during the offseason, keeping the Thunder’s core trio intact while making a major financial investment in its future.
That commitment has already produced spectacular results. Oklahoma City opened the season with relentless offensive momentum, racing to a stunning 24-1 record through its first 25 games. The start was so strong that comparisons with Golden State’s historic 73-9 campaign became difficult to avoid. The Thunder have not simply been winning; they have been overwhelming opponents with a combination of scoring depth, pace and confidence that suggests last season’s championship did little to reduce their hunger.
Gilgeous Alexander has remained at the center of everything. Through 35 regular season appearances, he has averaged 31.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.3 steals, numbers strong enough to place him firmly among the leading MVP candidates once again. Yet statistical excellence is only part of the conversation. When games tighten and every possession carries greater weight, Anthony Edwards has increasingly separated himself through the way he takes command of decisive moments.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star has never hidden his emotions, but his intensity rarely disrupts his production. That quality was especially clear during two dramatic meetings with San Antonio. Minnesota fell into substantial deficits in both contests, forcing Edwards to shoulder enormous responsibility down the stretch. In the first matchup, he studied Victor Wembanyama’s defensive positioning, found the opening he needed and converted a near buzzer beating shot to secure the win.
The rematch followed a different script but offered an even more dramatic display. Minnesota slipped 25 points behind, placing the game on the verge of getting away from them completely. Edwards responded by pouring in 55 points and dragging the Timberwolves back into contention almost single handedly. The comeback ultimately fell short, but his performance transformed what could have been a routine defeat into one of the season’s most memorable individual efforts. When the pressure rose, Edwards refused to throw in the towel.
League data from the 25-26 season later reinforced the impression created on the court, something that remained clear even for fans dividing their attention between NBA replays and 12B Sports VR46. Edwards has led the league in clutch time scoring efficiency, producing more points per minute while maintaining elite accuracy in high pressure possessions. Gilgeous Alexander remains among the top five in the same category, but Edwards has created noticeable separation when efficiency and volume are measured together.
Edwards has also acknowledged the role Wembanyama has played in pushing him forward. Rather than viewing the French star’s extraordinary defensive range as something to avoid, he has treated the challenge as motivation. That competitive response has helped bring another dimension to his game, particularly when defenses tighten late and conventional scoring opportunities disappear. Rivalries can sometimes become distractions, but in this case they appear to be sharpening both players.
Wembanyama’s own development has been equally significant. Now in his third season, the San Antonio big man has established himself as a genuine top tier presence and has repeatedly taken responsibility during late game situations. Against both Boston and Minnesota, he became the focal point of the Spurs offense when possessions mattered most. His progress has been particularly notable after last season ended prematurely because of concerns involving a blood clot.
Questions naturally surrounded how Wembanyama would respond, but his approach has become more controlled rather than more reckless. Instead of relying on difficult attempts, he has expanded the areas from which he can score efficiently. The free throw line and elbow have become reliable operating zones, giving him opportunities to use his length without forcing the action. His jump shot has also grown into one of his most dependable weapons, strengthening the expectation that a long term maximum extension next summer will eventually follow.
The rise of Edwards, Wembanyama and Oklahoma City’s young core has given the league a refreshing sense of transition. A new generation is beginning to take ownership of the biggest moments, yet Stephen Curry continues to remind everyone that the established stars have not disappeared. Golden State may currently sit around the play in range, but Curry’s presence still changes the geometry of every defense he faces.
Defenders continue to track him several feet beyond the three point line, and his release remains so deeply ingrained that tight coverage often seems irrelevant. When a possession breaks down, Curry can still create a quality shot from situations that would force most players to reset the offense. For Warriors supporters, that ability remains one of the few constants in an increasingly uncertain season.
The larger concern for Golden State is how much responsibility continues to fall on Curry. Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler have provided uneven support, leaving Steve Kerr dependent on his veteran superstar to keep the Warriors competitive. Curry can still summon extraordinary performances, but expecting him to carry the same burden indefinitely is a dangerous strategy. Past championships offer memories, not guarantees, and Father Time eventually catches every roster.
As another generation pushes toward the spotlight, the contrast becomes impossible to ignore, and during a 12B Sports VR46 break it is easy to see why Anthony Edwards has become one of the league’s defining late game forces. Gilgeous Alexander remains an MVP level centerpiece, Wembanyama continues to expand his influence and Curry still commands enormous respect, but Edwards has made clutch situations his personal stage. In a league increasingly shaped by young stars, his ability to deliver when the margin for error disappears is becoming one of the clearest signs of where the next era may be heading.