The NBA just released its schedule for the 2025-26 season, and it’s clear that the league wants to showcase the OKC Thunder.
Oklahoma City will play 34 games on national television, which is tied with the Lakers, Warriors, and Knicks for the most across the association. They also have contests on numerous premier dates, such as opening night, Christmas, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Easiest and toughest stretches of Thunder’s 2025-26 NBA schedule
The toughest stretch appears to be a six-game gauntlet against the Timberwolves, Nuggets, Magic, Spurs, Rockets, and Lakers from January 29 and February 9. Four of those six contests are on the road, and it’s right before the All-Star break when fatigue typically batters teams.
How well the Thunder navigate these superstar-laden matchups against title contenders will be worth monitoring.
On the other hand, the easiest stretch likely takes place from November 15 to 30. Oklahoma City will take on the Hornets, Pelicans, Kings, Jazz, Blazers, Timberwolves, Suns, and Blazers. This eight-game stretch features a slew of non-contenders and gives OKC a nice warmup to the regular season.
Perhaps a championship hangover can subsequently be avoided.
Key Thunder games to circle on the 2025-26 NBA calendar
There are three matchups that stand out the most from OKC’s schedule.
October 21 vs. Houston Rockets
Opening Night is without a doubt the biggest game of the upcoming regular season for the Thunder because they receive their championship rings and raise the banner into the rafters.
Kevin Durant, Steven Adams, and Jeff Green will also be in town on the visitor’s bench, which adds more fuel to the fire. Expect the crowd to be absolutely deafening, living up to their Loud City nickname.
It’s also a great basketball matchup. The new-look Rockets boast a massive, suffocating defense, and their half-court offense should be much improved with Durant on the court. He averaged 26.6 points per game on 52 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent from deep last season for Phoenix.
Plus, Thunder fans may see rookie debuts for Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, and Brooks Barnhizer.
December 25 vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Thunder were robbed of a Christmas Day game last season, but the NBA rectified their mistake and scheduled OKC for a 2:30 p.m. ET tipoff versus San Antonio on Christmas afternoon this season.
Victor Wembanyama is arguably the most exciting player in the league, and his duels against Chet Holmgren are always enjoyable. Can Wemby replicate his Christmas performance from last season when he dropped 42 points and 18 rebounds?
Meanwhile, it’s De’Aaron Fox’s first full season with the Spurs after signing a monstrous extension. Factor in Stephon Castle and second overall pick Dylan Harper, and it projects to be an extremely fun matchup.
February 1 vs. Denver Nuggets
OKC bested Denver in seven games on their way to the 2025 title, and the Nuggets responded with a tremendous offseason that saw them add Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown.
Do Denver’s additions make them the favorites to win the West? This matchup will reveal a lot and could be a Western Conference Finals preview.