The OKC Thunder accomplished their ultimate goal of winning the NBA title in 2025. Luckily, the team didn’t have to deal with losing any major contributors this offseason, so a repeat is definitely the goal.
Last week, the NBA released the 2025-26 schedules for each team. Naturally, there are some interesting stretches to take note of. For example, the team has a couple four-game road trips. At the end of the regular season, from March 17 to March 25, the team will play five games on the road.
Now, let’s identify the five most interesting dates on the 2025-26 calendar for the reigning champs.
October 21 vs. Houston Rockets
This may be cheating, but you have to count the opener. The Thunder will get to begin the season against the young and exciting Houston Rockets.
While the Rockets figure to be a contender, there’s something else that makes this a must-watch for Thunder fans- the return of Kevin Durant to Oklahoma City. Durant has been to Oklahoma City as an opponent before, but this will be his debut for the Rockets.
It’s obvious what kind of reaction Durant will get, and it will be interesting to see how the future Hall of Famer performs.
October 23 at Indiana Pacers
The Thunder start the season off by facing an old friend and then their very next game is a trip to the last venue they played at outside of Oklahoma City in 2025.
The Pacers won’t look the same as Tyrese Haliburton won’t be on the court. Still, it will be interesting to see a rematch of the NBA finals. I have my doubts that the Thunder will be warmly received by the Indiana crowd.
November 12 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
November 12 will be the first meeting between the Thunder and the Luka Donic/Lebron James-led Lakers. This game will be nationally televised on ESPN, and it’ll be a game no NBA fan will want to miss.
The Thunder won two out of three games against the Lakers last season, and it will be interesting to see if the team can repeat that success. 2025-26 will be Doncic’s first full season with the Lakers, and it could be James’ last season.
December 25 vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Thunder return to action on Christmas Day in 2025-26! The Thunder will take on the Spurs at the Paycom Center in what will surely be a raucous environment in downtown OKC.
The Spurs have one of the most exciting young rosters in the league headlined by Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell. It will be interesting to see the Wembanyama-Chet Holmgren matchup, as well as how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander handles the tough backcourt.
April 10 at Denver Nuggets
Finally, we’ll end with the April 10 matchup in Denver. The teams will have already played a couple of times at this point, but this will be the final regular season meeting between the two and could have playoff implications.
The Nuggets gave the Thunder a run for their money in the playoffs last season, so it will be interesting to see how they play each other towards the end of the season. The Thunder and Nuggets should both be contenders again in 2025-26, so this will be one you don’t want to miss.
