Oklahoma City Thunder: Favourites Tag Under the Spotlight

After years of careful rebuilding, the Oklahoma City Thunder achieved what once seemed a distant dream, winning the 2025 NBA Championship. Now, with a young and cohesive core and with their first title since relocating to Oklahoma under their belt, the Thunder head into this season with even higher expectations. Can they go back-to-back?

A Championship Blueprint

Last season was a testament to long-term planning, elite development, and inspired coaching. The Thunder finished the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record and stormed through to the playoffs.

They swept Memphis aside in the first round, edged past Denver in a seven-game thriller, and dispatched Minnesota 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals. In the NBA Finals, they overcame the Indiana Pacers in seven games to clinch the title.

At the centre of it all was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA not only won NBA MVP honours for the regular season but also Finals MVP, averaging over 30 points per game with efficiency and composure that belied his age. His leadership and two-way brilliance were instrumental in lifting the trophy.

Holmgren and the Core

Chet Holmgren’s official rookie campaign proved him to be a generational talent on the defensive end, contributing over two blocks per game while stretching the floor with his shooting. His poise in the playoffs, especially during tight battles with Denver and Indiana, marked him as a future All-Star.

Jalen Williams emerged as a dependable two-way player. At the same time, Luguentz Dort’s elite defence, Isaiah Joe’s sharpshooting, and Aaron Wiggin’s hustle also helped OKC outperform even the most optimistic of projections.

Coaching and Continuity

Head coach Mark Daigneault has earned widespread praise for building a team-first culture and modern, adaptable schemes. His ability to trust youth, rotate smartly, and make playoff adjustments was evident in the Thunder’s path to the title. Unlike many contenders, OKC’s roster remains largely intact heading into next season, continuity that’s rare among top teams.

Handling the Pressure

Now comes the harder part: defending the crown. With the target on their back, the Thunder will have to remain focused amid the hype. Online sportsbook platforms have taken the Thunder as favourites, and rightly so, but securing successive titles is never easy.

Players staying healthy will be crucial, particularly for Hilmgren and SGA. The Western Conference remains stacked, with Denver retooling, Golden State seeking a resurgence, and Dallas determined to bounce back. OKC must also guard against complacency and manage expectations across an 82-game grind.

The Road Ahead

With a championship under their belts and a core of rising stars, Oklahoma City find themselves in a rare position where they’re young but already proven. Their title run has validated the rebuild, and now the challenge is to turn one championship into a dynasty.

If they continue their defensive intensity, maintain unselfish offensive play, and keep evolving tactically, there’s no reason why the Thunder can’t defend their crown in 2026.

The blueprint is there, it’s worked, so the future looks electric in OKC.