Oklahoma City Thunder: 2025-26 Season Preview

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JUNE 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy with his new one-of-one pair of Converse signature basketball shoe, the SHAI 001 in “Trophy Gold” after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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The Oklahoma City Thunder will be the headliner of the NBA’s 2025-26 campaign, as fans pack Paycom Center to watch the franchise’s first championship banner rise and the players receive their rings on opening night. The very first game of the season will take place in OKC.

Once again, this team is expected to contend for a title and make a run at going back-to-back, which is a rare feat in today’s NBA. Still, despite their success, this remains a young roster with plenty of questions to answer entering the new season.

What can be expected from the Thunder in 2025-26 as they chase another championship?

Outlook

By nearly every metric available, the Thunder enters the season as the favorite to win another championship. For the first time in franchise history, the expectations are undeniable. Last year, even after claiming the top seed in the Western Conference and emerging as a legitimate title contender, Oklahoma City maintained a consistent message from the front office down — there were no external expectations to live up to, only internal standards to uphold.

That mindset might be harder to maintain this time around. With nearly the entire roster returning from a championship run, another title isn’t just possible, it’s expected. While several teams across the league have improved, the Thunder still projects as the NBA’s most complete group. Simply put, this is a championship-or-bust season in Oklahoma City, which in this case is a good problem to have.

Schedule

Tonight kicks off an 82-game regular season schedule for the Thunder against the Houston Rockets in what will be a battle between two of the best teams in the Western Conference. OKC will be one of the most nationally televised teams this season, which is well deserved given the circumstances.

The Thunder is slated to play on Christmas Day against the San Antonio Spurs, highlighting the growing rivalry between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, who have been compared since their teenage years. Beyond their individual duel, the two franchises share historical playoff ties and could renew that rivalry in the coming years.

Overall, the NBA schedule reinforces Oklahoma City’s new status as a marquee team, featured prominently on two of the league’s biggest stages.

Final Roster

The final puzzle piece was placed over the weekend, as Chris Youngblood signed a two-way deal with the Thunder. Now all 18 players are solidified for OKC.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luguentz Dort
Alex Caruso
Aaron Wiggins
Isaiah Joe
Nikola Topić
Cason Wallace
AJay Mitchell
Ousmane Dieng
Jalen Williams
Jaylin Williams
Kenrich Williams
Chet Holmgren
Isaiah Hartenstein
Thomas Sorber
Branden Carlson (Two-Way)
Brooks Barnhizer (Two-Way)
Chris Youngblood (Two-Way)’

When it comes to the 15-man roster, 14 of these players were on the team last season. The only change is the addition of Thomas Sorber, a first-round pick who was signed as Dillon Jones was traded away. From there, a pair of new two-way players exist alongside Branden Carlson, as Brooks Barnhizer and Chris Yongblood join the fold.

This is essentially the same roster that OKC won a title with last season. It will take organic growth from within the organization and good fortune on the injury front, but the Thunder is set up very well to win another title this season.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholascrain/2025/10/21/oklahoma-city-thunder-2025-26-season-preview/