OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paused when asked what he learned about himself and his game over the summer.
“I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know,” he said. “I feel like I got better this summer, for sure.”
That's great news for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that won the NBA title in 2025 and lost a Game 7 to the San Antonio Spurs in last season's Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander — bidding for a third straight MVP award — and the Thunder are widely expected to be top contenders for a title again this season.
But it is a new-look Thunder in many ways, after the team traded starter Lu Dort and key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary.
“Obviously we’re a really close, tight-knit group, and those guys had a big hand in not only our success on the court but the relationships and the brotherhood off the court," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And that will never change. Those guys will only be one call away from me and vice versa. But with that being said, it’s the business of the NBA, right. I don’t think anybody has played with all 12 guys their whole career. That’s how it goes.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points last season and could become the first player in four decades to win three consecutive MVP awards. Larry Bird (1984-1986) was the last player to do it; Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other members of the three-in-a-row club.
Gilgeous-Alexander said he hasn't given much thought to winning another award.
“The decision for MVP is like literally 82 games away,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not going to win the award in the first week of the season. It hard for me to, like, put so much into it and think about it. I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible. And whenever those things lie, they will. That kind of recipe for me in the past has kind of worked, and I’ve been fortunate to win two in a row.”
There is an addition of sorts: Jalen Williams, an All-Star two seasons ago, is back after missing more than half of last season with injuries.
“We’ll have an All-NBA talent who puts the ball in the basket and guards 1 through 5. So, that will make life easier not only for myself but for the rest of the group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And above all, I’m just excited for Dub to be able to play.”
Forward Chet Holmgren averaged career-highs of 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, making All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for the first time. Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace are all expected to take on larger roles this season.
“Fundamentally, we are still the Oklahoma City Thunder,” guard Alex Caruso said. “To the root of it, I think we want to try and be the same team, we just have to fit new pieces in and figure out what that looks like. Still have a lot of returning guys. It’s not like we lost our three top scorers or something. ... We want to be the same kind of team and have the same principles and play the same way.”
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
From left, Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, head coach Mark Daigneault, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren pose for photos during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The story of the start of the season for the Minnesota Vikings has been clear: win with a dominant defense, supplement with superb special teams and survive another unstable performance by a sputtering offense.
At some point soon, staying undefeated will require quarterback Kyler Murray to find a rhythm and direct a productive downfield passing attack. Even if this level of success by their teammates on the other side of the ball — and with the in-between phase of the game — is ultimately unsustainable? The Vikings are still confident they've got a group that can score, even if their early performance has concerningly looked more like 2025 than 2024.
The Vikings have won three straight games with fewer than 250 total yards gained in each of them, just the fourth team in the NFL since at least 1950 to accomplish that, according to Sportradar research. The others were Tampa Bay in 1999 from Weeks 11-13, Minnesota in 1969 from Weeks 11-13, and Cleveland in 1957 from Weeks 1-3.
Their latest slog was a 23-16 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores dialed up another effective plan that produced six sacks, two interceptions and only one touchdown allowed. The special teams units did more than their share, too, starting with Myles Price and his 86-yard punt return for a touchdown. Fill-in punter Johnny Hekker landed two of his eight punts inside the 20-yard line and averaged 46.5 yards per attempt while keeping the holding operation on track for Will Reichard, who made all three of his field-goal tries including from 54 and 56 yards.
Murray, in his first game back from a concussion, was just 15 for 29 for 168 yards and one interception off a batted ball at the line that first bounced off Vikings center Blake Brandel. He had to play without wide receiver Justin Jefferson for most of the game, though, after an early ankle injury. Running back Jordan Mason remains out with a broken thumb, too, and the Vikings averaged only 3.4 yards over 23 rushes against a stout defensive front.
“We’re going to ascend as an offense. I do believe that. I believe in our guys,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I believe in where we can get to as a team, and I just love the fact that collectively we’re able to come together and find a way to win football games during a time that I didn’t expect early on in the season.”
The pass rush the Vikings have consistently generated with their scheme, calls and talent on defense has been remarkable, helping them fluster three straight formidable quarterbacks in Jordan Love, Caleb Williams and Baker Mayfield. Minnesota leads the NFL in sacks per pass attempt with a rate of 12.3%.
The Vikings have the second-worst third down conversion rate in the league (30.2%), ahead of only Green Bay, after going just 2 for 15 on Sunday.
WR Jordan Addison. After a quiet start with only two catches for 21 yards over the first two games, the fourth-year player produced the highlight of the afternoon for the offense with a twisting catch late in the second quarter at the goal line for a 41-yard touchdown. He had five receptions for 90 yards.
TE T.J. Hockenson. The eighth-year veteran who took a pay cut to return in 2026 had just two catches for 11 yards at Tampa Bay. He's averaging 8.4 yards per reception, which would be a career low for a full season.
The Vikings got good news on Jefferson's right ankle, which he sprained beneath the weight of a Buccaneers player after just seven snaps. O'Connell said Jefferson avoided a long-term injury and did not rule him out of playing this week.
On the downside, TE Josh Oliver tore his biceps and will need surgery. Rookie CB Charles Demmings, who has played on special teams, has a hamstring strain and will also be sidelined for multiple weeks.
1 — Among the 327 teams to start a season 3-0 since 1939, according to Sportradar research, only one has been outgained by more than the Vikings this season and their per-game average deficit of 81.3 yards. The Seattle Seahawks had an average margin of 89.3 yards fewer than their opponents over their first three games in 2020. The Seahawks finished with an average deficit of 12.1 yards per game with a 12-4 record that season.
The Vikings return home in Week 4 to host the reeling Miami Dolphins, one of five teams in the league who have started 0-3. They lost star running back De'Von Achane to a torn ACL in their loss to Kansas City on Sunday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and head coach Kevin O'Connell talk during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass while pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus (44) and linebacker Blake Cashman (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
