The Oklahoma City Thunder’s core from their 2024–25 NBA championship run returns for the 2025–26 season, along with a few new additions.

Season opener against Houston Rockets

The Thunder open the 2025–26 season Tuesday night at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, facing the Houston Rockets.

“I’m excited to see the atmosphere in that building,” said Thunder sideline reporter Paris Lawson. “If the playoffs were any indication of what we could expect tomorrow, I’m expecting a very, very incredible atmosphere.”

Doors open for Tuesday’s game open at 4:30 p.m. and guest should be in the seats by 6 p.m. to see championship banner unveiling and the rings ceremony.

SGA’s leadership continues off the court

Lawson said NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t let his list of accomplishments get to his head.

“He shows up to practice every single day like he’s trying to make the team still,” she said. “That is leadership by example. That’s infectious. That’s contagious. Every single player on this roster has embodied that, in a sense.”

The leadership SGA shows can be felt across the locker room.

“We talked to Chris Youngblood, who was the newest minted, two-way player for the Thunder, and he said Shai has been exceptionally helpful to him, answering all of his questions,” said Lawson. ” So you know that leadership, it’s resonating throughout the entire locker room.”

How will the Thunder’s bench perform this year?

Last season, Oklahoma City had one of the NBA’s strongest benches, and that depth is expected to continue this season.

“The depth of the Thunder is one of their biggest strengths, and it has been over the course of the last two seasons. And the thing about this group, it’s a lot of familiar faces, but each individual player has come back new in some way,.” said Lawson. “They’ve gotten stronger. They’ve added new skill sets into their arsenal.”

While many faces are familiar, this year’s Thunder team has a new identity. The preseason helped them identify what works, and what doesn’t, heading into the regular season.

OKC is focusing on what won them the NBA Title

The Thunder aren’t trying to recreate last season’s success. Instead, they’re focused on the habits and mindset that led to their championship.

“They’re not necessarily trying to repeat an outcome. They’re putting the past in the past. said Lawson. “They want to be present. They want to be where their feet are.”