OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A look at the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder through 25 games, after their rout of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night:
At 24-1, the Thunder have tied the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history. The Warriors were 24-0 that season before falling in Game 25.
Golden State wound up winning 29 of its first 30 games that season, and 36 of its first 38.
The Thunder are even more dominant this season than they were last season — when they posted the biggest scoring margin in NBA history at 12.9 points per game.
Wednesday's 138-89 rout of Phoenix in the NBA Cup quarterfinals lifted the Thunder scoring differential this season to 17.5 points per game — by far the biggest margin the league has seen through 25 games. Boston outscored opponents by an average of 13.9 points through the first 25 games of the 2007-08 season.
Wednesday's win was Oklahoma City's 17th by 10 or more points this season. That ties for the second-most through 25 games ever; Boston had 19 double-digit wins in the first 25 games in 2007-08.
The Thunder became the first franchise to have that many double-digit wins this early in back-to-back seasons. They also had 17 such wins in the first 25 games of last season.
Chris Youngblood's 3-pointer with 5:25 left in the fourth quarter Wednesday night gave the Thunder a 128-78 lead — the first time a team led by 50 points in the NBA this season.
Oklahoma City would go on to lead by as many as 53.
The Thunder's biggest lead in a regular-season game last season was 44 points. They did have leads of 49 and 56 in playoff games on their way to last season's title.
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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, top, shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie, center bottom, during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams pushes down the court during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren dunks during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Fired University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore threatened to kill himself in front of a woman with whom he had been having an affair after she broke off the relationship and reported it to school officials, prosecutors said Friday, charging him with stalking and home invasion.
The university fired the 39-year-old Wednesday, saying he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He was subsequently arrested and spent two nights in jail.
First Assistant Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski said Moore was fired after the woman told university officials this week that he had repeatedly called and texted her.
Rezmierski said Moore went to the woman’s apartment after he was fired and “terrorized” her.
Moore “grabbed several butter knives and kitchen scissors and began to threaten his own life,” she said.
The prosecutor quoted Moore as telling the woman, “I’m going to kill myself. I’m going to make you watch. My blood is on your hands.”
Moore appeared virtually on a television monitor at the arraignment on Friday. He was sitting in a compact, bare room wearing a white jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in front of him.
Defense attorney Joe Simon said Friday, “There’s no evidence to suggest he’s a threat.”
Michigan has not disclosed details of the alleged relationship but said an investigation found credible evidence against Moore, who is married with three young daughters. Athletic director Warde Manuel said the behavior was "a clear violation of university policy.”
Washtenaw County Magistrate Judge Odetalla Odetalla granted Moore a $25,000 bond. While out on bond, Moore will be required to complete mental health treatment, wear a GPS tracking device, stay in Michigan and abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs. Odetalla also issued a stark warning to Moore not to make “any form of contact that the human mind can possibly fathom” with the alleged victim, who will not be named in any of the court filings throughout the trial.
Moore signed a five-year contract with a base annual salary of $5.5 million last year. According to the terms of his deal, the university will not have to buy out the remaining years of his contract because he was fired for cause.
Moore, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was promoted to lead the Wolverines after they won the national title. He succeeded Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.
Michigan is set to play No. 14 Texas on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season in relation to a Harbaugh-era sign-stealing scandal, will serve as interim coach.
While the school seeks a new head coach, the Wolverines may lose players in the transfer portal this winter and donors who help fund revenue-sharing and NIL deals may hesitate to invest in the winningest program in college football history.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org
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Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears via video in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/ Ryan Sun)
Assistant prosecutor Kati Rezmierski appears in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, Pool)
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's attorney Joseph A. Simon looks over papers in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, Pool)
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears via video in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/ Ryan Sun)
Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears via video in court on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/ Ryan Sun)
FILE - Michigan acting head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates a 24-15 win over Penn State following an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
FILE - Michigan acting head coach Sherrone Moore reacts to a video replay during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)
FILE - Michigan coach Sherrone Moore walks off the field following an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
