At a Glance
Oklahoma City Thunder by the Numbers
64-182025-26 record · 1st in the West
Lost WCF3-4 vs. San Antonio
+270Title odds · co-favorite
60.5Projected win total · NBA-high (BetMGM)
Title odds via DraftKings as of September 28, 2026; win total via BetMGM. Both move frequently.
The File
The Case For — and the Cracks
The case for
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won back-to-back MVPs, taking 83 of 100 first-place votes after averaging 31.1 points on 55.3% shooting.
- The best regular-season team in the league. OKC went 64-18 and opened the playoffs 8-0, sweeping Phoenix and the Lakers.
- The core is locked in. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both begin new max contracts in 2026-27 (about $41.2 million each), alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso.
- Young depth keeps coming. Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain are all in the rotation mix, and the Thunder drafted Bennett Stirtz at No. 16.
Warning signs
- The Game 7 sting. San Antonio won 111-103 in Oklahoma City on May 30 despite 35 points and 9 assists from Gilgeous-Alexander. Jalen Williams missed the game with a hamstring injury.
- Dort is gone. Luguentz Dort, the team's perimeter stopper and a starter, now plays for Atlanta. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe also left, taking wing depth and shooting with them.
- The cap squeeze has arrived. With both max extensions starting, the salaries SI listed in August already add up to about $214 million — above the $209.0 million first apron, which limits how the front office can add talent.
- The Spurs have their number. San Antonio won the series that mattered and opens the season hosting OKC.
Swing Factor
The X-Factor
The X-factor
Who replaces Dort's defense
Cason Wallace is the most likely new starter, with Ajay Mitchell the alternative. Oklahoma City's title formula has been elite point-of-attack defense around Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring; if Wallace can take on the toughest perimeter assignments that Dort used to handle, the Thunder's identity survives the summer. If not, Caruso's minutes — and his health — become a lot more important.
The Roster
Core Pieces for 2026-27
| Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | PG | Back-to-back MVP; 31.1 PPG in 2025-26 |
| Jalen Williams | F | New max deal starts; missed Game 7 (hamstring) |
| Chet Holmgren | F/C | New max deal starts |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | C | Projected starter |
| Cason Wallace | G | Likely to replace Dort in the starting five |
| Alex Caruso | G | Rotation defender |
| Ajay Mitchell | G | Rotation guard; starting candidate |
| Jared McCain | G | Acquired from Philadelphia in February |
| Bennett Stirtz | G | No. 16 pick in the 2026 draft |
Head coach: Mark Daigneault.
Last Season
How 2025-26 Ended
Oklahoma City went 64-18, best in the NBA, and swept Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers to reach the Western Conference Finals for a rematch with a rising San Antonio team.
The Spurs won the series 4-3, taking Game 7 111-103 at Paycom Center on May 30 and ending the defending champions' run one round short of the Finals.
Circle These
Key Dates
| Date | Game |
|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 20 | at San Antonio Spurs · 9:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock (West finals rematch) |
| Fri, Dec 25 | at Minnesota Timberwolves · Christmas Day |
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Thunder favorites to win the 2026-27 NBA title?
They are co-favorites. As of September 28, 2026, DraftKings listed the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs at +270 each. BetMGM's projected win total for OKC, 60.5, was the highest in the league.
Why did the Thunder lose the 2026 Western Conference Finals?
San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 4-3, winning Game 7 111-103 in Oklahoma City on May 30, 2026. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points with 9 assists, but Jalen Williams missed the game with a hamstring injury and the Spurs had seven players score in double figures.
Did the Thunder lose Luguentz Dort?
Yes. Luguentz Dort left in the offseason and now plays for the Atlanta Hawks. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe also departed, and Cason Wallace is the most likely player to take Dort's starting spot.
How much are Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren paid in 2026-27?
Both begin new max contracts in 2026-27 worth about $41.2 million each this season, slightly more than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's roughly $40.8 million.
When do the Thunder open the 2026-27 season?
Oklahoma City opens at the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 9:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock, a rematch of the 2026 Western Conference Finals.
Keep Reading
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