The 3 Most important games on 2024-25 NBA schedule for Thunder

OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, November 17th

While the Denver game gives fans a first glimpse at the updated roster, it cannot be classified as a bitter matchup between heated rivals. November 17 against Dallas though… well, let's just say the energy in Paycom Center should provide enough electricity to light up the city for a week. 

Some may feel it’s too early to legitimately call this a rivalry, but that is not the case to most OKC and Dallas fans, especially those who remember the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Dirk Nowitzki wars. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic will be dueling for the title of best point guard in the NBA, as well as for the opportunity to snatch an MVP moment over another top contender. The stage is ripe for a social media agenda war. 

The elite defense of the Thunder held Kyrie Irving to 15.7 points per game during their semifinal bout. It was Irving’s lowest-scoring playoff series of his career, excluding the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals where he only saw 49 total minutes.

With Alex Caruso now in the mix, it should be fascinating to watch whether Irving can produce near his normal rate. 

Meanwhile, OKC outscored Dallas by 21 points across six games last postseason with Chet Holmgren on the court but couldn’t stay afloat when he sat. Will Hartenstein allow the Thunder to survive the non-Holmgren minutes? 

Mavericks defensive stopper Derrick Jones Jr. is now a Clipper. Can former Pelican Naji Marshall replicate his superb defense against SGA? 

To top it off, Dallas signed Thunder villain Klay Thompson this offseason. It has only been 3,001 days since his Game 6 explosion prevented another OKC Finals appearance, but who's counting? 

When this matchup tips off, expect the bad blood to show.