Thunder Favored to Repeat as NBA Champion in 2025-26 Season

The coming NBA season arrives amid a rare blend of veteran dominance and rising promise, with the Oklahoma City Thunder positioned as the team to beat after winning the franchise’s first championship in a generation. The league has released its full schedule, teams are solidifying rosters, and the cultural barometer of the season—the latest edition of NBA 2K—offers a snapshot of where players stand in terms of perception and potential. All told, the 2025-26 campaign is framed as a crossroads for established champions and a batch of clubs eager to reimagine their ceilings.

The Thunder enter as the clear title favorites, having orchestrated one of the most dominant runs in recent memory and returning largely intact. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has matured into a force who can carry a team deep into the playoffs, with Lu Dort anchoring a historically stingy defense. The championship backdrop has translated into a favorable national television schedule, including a prominent Opening Night and multiple Christmas games, underscoring the league’s belief in OKC’s sustained relevancy. Still, the road to a repeat is never simple, and rival contenders are watching closely as the rest of the...