Circle high-stakes battles against the Spurs, Nuggets, and Timberwolves as the champion Thunder navigate a primetime gauntlet designed to test their supremacy and ignite fierce Western Conference rivalries.
Oklahoma City Thunder fans have been hungry for some news about their favorite basketball team, so the NBA leaking some early dates on the schedule was a nice oasis in a drought of OKC hoops content.
As expected, the 2025 NBA champions were heavily featured in the league's first game dates dump. Thunder fanatics can circle the calendar for nationally televised games on Opening Night, OKC's home opener and Christmas Day. Not so coincidentally, the three opponents in those contests are arguably Oklahoma City's three biggest Western Conference obstacles in their goal to return to the NBA Finals in 2027.
Let's break down the three Thunder matchups that the league released on Tuesday morning.
Oklahoma City at San Antonio. Opening Night. October 20. 8:30PM Central. NBC/Peacock.
A rematch of the 2026 Western Conference Finals. The general consensus two best teams in the NBA. The two leading favorites for Most Valuable Player. The league's current greatest rivalry. And we haven't even mentioned Chet Holmgren versus Victor Wembanyama yet. The Spurs will look a little stronger than the last time OKC faced them given more experience, a year of development for the young roster and the signing of Tobias Harris. The Thunder should certainly be healthier and stronger due to the return of Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, the team's second and third ball handlers, playmakers and shot creators who missed the majority of the West Finals. The NBA knows this matchup is a goldmine of talent, storylines and ratings. And that's why it's in primetime to kick off the new season.
Denver at Oklahoma City. Home Opener. October 22. 7:30PM Central. ESPN.
Before the Spurs lapped the Nuggets, this was the best rivalry going in the Western Conference. But make no mistake, despite Denver's poor playoff showing last season, Nikola Jokic and Friends are not going anywhere. This is still a clash between two talented titans. The matchup features the two players who have finished #1 and #2 in MVP voting for three straight seasons. Anytime Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic face off, it's must see television. The Paycom Center is going to be rocking for the home opener against the hated Nuggets.
Oklahoma City at Minnesota. Christmas Day. 7PM Central. ABC/ESPN.
Some Thunder fans on social media expressed frustration that the game is in Minnesota and not in Oklahoma City. The aggravation is understandable given OKC's recent championship win, the fact that they have been the much more dominant team over the past few seasons and the back to back MVP calls Oklahoma home. That said, this is still a fun one. The new look Timberwolves will feature an explosive Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball backcourt. It's likely to be a White Christmas in Minnesota, but hopefully for Thunder fans, a happier holiday for hoops fans in OKC.
