Through 20 games, the Warriors boast the best record in the NBA at 18-2. They’ve benefited from having one of the league’s easier schedules, but they haven’t just been beating teams. They’ve been demolishing them.
According to NBA.com, the Warriors rank second in the league in offensive efficiency (113.0) ahead of their matchup with the Suns on Tuesday. They’ve been even more dominant on the other end of the court, owning the league’s best defensive rating in holding opponents to 99.4 points per 100 possessions.
As a result, Golden State has the best net rating (+13.6) in the league by a mile.
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Few teams have been as dominant as these Warriors through the first 20 games of the season.
According to Stathead, the 2021-22 Warriors are now one of only 20 teams since 1946-47 to start a season with an 18-2 record or better. (One of the teams ahead of them? The 2015-16 Warriors, who started the season a perfect 24-0 and went on to post the best record in NBA history.) Additionally, Golden State’s point differential (+273) is the fifth-best ever from a team through 20 games.
The scary part? The Warriors aren’t even at full strength yet, as Klay Thompson and James Wiseman are still working their way back from injury.
MORE: How long is Klay Thompson out?
The best starts in NBA history
According to Stathead, the 2015-16 Warriors are the only team in NBA history to start a season a perfect 20-0.
Three teams started their season 19-1 — the 1990-91 Trail Blazers, 1969-70 Knicks and 1993-94 Rockets.
Including the 2021-22 Warriors, 16 teams have gone 18-2 to start the season.
