The OKC Thunder have been left off the true National Televised slate for the past two seasons, that, of course, is if you only count games on TNT, ESPN, and ABC. However, the NBA elects to tab NBATV as a National broadcast. It is broadcasted on a larger scale than just the team’s regional network, but all NBATV does is redistribute that local broadcast to their airways. That does not give it the true National stage feel.
The NBA is set to release its full schedule on Wednesday, August 17th at 2 p.m. Central Standard time, but as we inch closer to the release, NBA reporters have begun leaking the information fans want to know. Kelly Iko of The Athletic covers the Houston Rockets and he tweeted out Houston’s National TV schedule.
The Houston Rockets be featured four times on National TV, three of which will be on NBATV, and one will be on ESPN (against the Kings).
One of OKC Thunder Nationally Televised games has been leaked, as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Houston Rockets on NBATV
Part of the list reveals that Oklahoma City will head on the road, and take on the Houston Rockets in the Toyota Center on November 26th on NBATV. This takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so as your family is likely still in town, gather around and enjoy some Thunder basketball with leftover Turkey.
This matchup will of course be highlighted by two teams who are in similar places, with similar young cores, and each hope to be on the other side of this rebuild sooner than later. From Jalen Green to Kevin Porter Jr, Alperene Sengun, and third overall pick Jabari Smith.
The OKC Thunder will counter that with Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and the rest of their core.
Outside of finding out about one of Oklahoma City’s 82 games, we also got a rough outline of what to expect from the league on National TV dates. If the Houston Rockets and third overall pick Jabari Smith Jr get to take on the Sacramento Kings and fourth overall pick Keegan Murray on ESPN, I would imagine the league will allow second overall pick Chet Holgrem and the Thunder to face off with first overall pick Paolo Banchero and the Magic in a true national TV game.