The OKC Thunder, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 28 points and eight assists, obliterated the Phoenix Suns 138-89 on Wednesday. Oklahoma City booked a ticket to the semifinal round of the Emirates NBA Cup and improved its record to 24-1. The Thunder are off to the best start for a defending NBA champ since the Golden State Warriors raced to a 24-0 mark in 2016.Steph Curry and Co. finished that season with a 73-9 card, the best record in NBA history. When asked in the postgame conference if breaking the Warriors’ record would mean anything to him, SGA responded:“Absolutely. Winning matters. No matter what form it looks to me, so absolutely.”Previously, the regular season record holder was the Chicago Bulls, who went 72-10 during the 1995-96 season. Michael Jordan and his teammates won the 1996 NBA championship to cap off their spectacular season.The Warriors failed to replicate the same feat in 2016. They held a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers before losing in seven games.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder might just topple the Dubs’ record and then become back-to-back champs behind their stifling defense. Oklahoma City’s 103.3 defensive rating is miles ahead of second-placed Houston' s 111.0 DRTG. The gap between the Thunder and the Rockets is roughly the same as the distance between Houston and the No. 24-ranked Charlotte Hornets (117.9 DRTG).As great as the OKC Thunder have been playing, they seem to have another gear left to reach. Jalen Williams (wrist) has only played six games. The starting lineup of Lu Dort, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Williams has shared the floor just once. Phoenix almost had no chance to win on Wednesday when the Thunder’s highly touted quintet showed up.Thunder have hardly needed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in fourth quarter this seasonThe Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance has been so overwhelming that they have not needed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander much in the fourth quarter. SGA has played 24 games this season, appearing in the final frame just 11 times. While other teams badly need their superstar to log heavy minutes, the reigning MVP has been taking it easy.When he does play, the superstar point guard has been nearly unstoppable. He is averaging 9.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in just 7.1 minutes in games he played in the fourth quarter, per StatMuse. SGA is making 53.6% of his shots, including 50.0% from deep in the pivotal period.