Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith had high praises for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 2025-26 NBA season kicked off. The Thunder are on a quest to repeat as NBA champions, having secured the title last season. Despite starting the campaign without Jalen Williams due to injury, the team held down the fort with a strong performance against the Houston Rockets in their season opener.
Barkley and Smith shared their thoughts on the Thunder ahead of the team’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers during a segment of *Inside the NBA* on Thursday. Barkley praised the squad for its impressive depth. “That’s why this team is a favorite. They’re the deepest team in the NBA. They’re two-deep, they’re pretty much three-deep in their positions. They got it all, so they are heavy favorites. But I’m telling you, man, they just plug and play, because as long as they got [Gilgeous-Alexander] and [Chet Holmgren], they got to be,” Barkley said.
Kenny Smith echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s balance even without its star players. “Let’s say Shai has to do something for a month, they’re still a playoff team. They would be a top eight team in the West without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—that’s how strong this team is,” Smith replied.
### How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder Played in the First Half vs. Pacers
The praise from Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith speaks volumes about the championship-level talent on the Thunder roster. Currently, Oklahoma City leads Indiana 54-47 at halftime in their first rematch since Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.
Indiana is missing star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who will miss the entire season while rehabbing a torn Achilles. This absence has presented a challenge for the Pacers’ offense, which showed as Oklahoma City outscored them 32-22 in the second quarter.
Only two players on the Thunder have scored in double figures so far. Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the charge with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. He’s been efficient, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and a near-perfect 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Ajay Mitchell is next with 10 points and two rebounds, while Chet Holmgren has contributed five points and two steals.
### What’s Next for the Thunder?
Following this matchup, the Thunder will continue their road trip. They are set to face the Atlanta Hawks on October 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET. With their depth and star talent, Oklahoma City looks poised to make another strong run this season.
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