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The OKC Thunder was must-watch TV last season.
That's why it played on the most prestigious days in the NBA, from Opening Night to Christmas Day to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And with the Thunder poised to compete for a second championship this upcoming season, that should be the case once again.
The 2026-27 NBA schedule hasn't been announced yet, but here's who I'd like to see OKC face on the biggest days in basketball:
Thunder mailbag: How will OKC fill final roster spot following Lu Dort trade?
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. Houston Rockets on Oct. 21, 2025
Nobody was surprised when it was announced that OKC would face Houston on Opening Night last season. It made too much sense for the reigning champion Thunder to take on its former face of the franchise, Kevin Durant.
And nobody will be surprised with my pick here, as the top two teams in the West collide to begin the new season. I'm giving San Antonio home-court advantage since it beat OKC in the conference finals.
NBA power rankings: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder reclaim the throne?
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 25, 2025
Admittedly, I wanted OKC to face New York on Christmas Day. But the Knicks haven't played a road game on Dec. 25 since 2012, and that won't change this season now that they're the reigning champs.
Since OKC is already playing on the road for Opening Night in this hypothetical schedule, I'd like to see it host a Christmas Day game. The next best option is for it to host Philadelphia, which now looks like a championship contender with the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
More: Where have former OKC Thunder players landed during 2026 NBA offseason?
Last season: OKC Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 19, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, so it's no surprise that the Hawks have played 35 games on MLK Day. That's second only to New York (40).
Atlanta has also hosted a game on MLK Day all but three times (1998, 2017 and 2025) since the 1994 season. And if that trend continues, OKC would be a good matchup. It'd be a reunion for former Thunder players Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, who were traded to the Hawks this summer.
Exclusive: Thunder GM Sam Presti talks about Lu Dort trade, OKC offseason moves
Last season: OKC Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 21, 2026
OKC confusingly began Rivals Week last season with a road game against Milwaukee. The best explanation I could give you is that the two teams faced off in the 2024-25 NBA Cup Finals, but calling that the birthplace of a rivalry was a stretch.
I'll avoid picking San Antonio since that's my hypothetical Opening Night matchup, making Denver my next choice. It's a clash of two squads that have had some recent scuffles. Two MVPs in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. Two fan bases that aren't exactly on friendly terms. That's a real rivalry.
MUSSATTO'S MINUTES Spencer Jones joins C.J. Miles as members of almost-Thunder club
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers on Jan. 23, 2026
OKC also hosted Indiana on Rivalry Week. And while this matchup made more sense than Milwaukee since the two teams faced off in the 2025 NBA Finals, there wasn't any of the animosity between players or fan bases that makes a rivalry great.
But the same can't be said for my pick. From Chris Finch calling out the officials to Timberwolves fans chanting "Free Throw Merchant" at Gilgeous-Alexander, it's a hostile environment whenever OKC plays in Minnesota. The two teams also met in the 2025 Western Conference Finals and should continue to be competitive, giving the matchup rivalry potential.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who should OKC Thunder face on Opening Night, Christmas Day on 2026-27 NBA schedule?
Continue reading...
That's why it played on the most prestigious days in the NBA, from Opening Night to Christmas Day to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And with the Thunder poised to compete for a second championship this upcoming season, that should be the case once again.
The 2026-27 NBA schedule hasn't been announced yet, but here's who I'd like to see OKC face on the biggest days in basketball:
Thunder mailbag: How will OKC fill final roster spot following Lu Dort trade?
Opening Night: OKC Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. Houston Rockets on Oct. 21, 2025
Nobody was surprised when it was announced that OKC would face Houston on Opening Night last season. It made too much sense for the reigning champion Thunder to take on its former face of the franchise, Kevin Durant.
And nobody will be surprised with my pick here, as the top two teams in the West collide to begin the new season. I'm giving San Antonio home-court advantage since it beat OKC in the conference finals.
NBA power rankings: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder reclaim the throne?
Christmas Day: OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 25, 2025
Admittedly, I wanted OKC to face New York on Christmas Day. But the Knicks haven't played a road game on Dec. 25 since 2012, and that won't change this season now that they're the reigning champs.
Since OKC is already playing on the road for Opening Night in this hypothetical schedule, I'd like to see it host a Christmas Day game. The next best option is for it to host Philadelphia, which now looks like a championship contender with the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
More: Where have former OKC Thunder players landed during 2026 NBA offseason?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: OKC Thunder at Atlanta Hawks
Last season: OKC Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 19, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, so it's no surprise that the Hawks have played 35 games on MLK Day. That's second only to New York (40).
Atlanta has also hosted a game on MLK Day all but three times (1998, 2017 and 2025) since the 1994 season. And if that trend continues, OKC would be a good matchup. It'd be a reunion for former Thunder players Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, who were traded to the Hawks this summer.
Exclusive: Thunder GM Sam Presti talks about Lu Dort trade, OKC offseason moves
Rivals Week (Part 1): OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets
Last season: OKC Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 21, 2026
OKC confusingly began Rivals Week last season with a road game against Milwaukee. The best explanation I could give you is that the two teams faced off in the 2024-25 NBA Cup Finals, but calling that the birthplace of a rivalry was a stretch.
I'll avoid picking San Antonio since that's my hypothetical Opening Night matchup, making Denver my next choice. It's a clash of two squads that have had some recent scuffles. Two MVPs in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. Two fan bases that aren't exactly on friendly terms. That's a real rivalry.
MUSSATTO'S MINUTES Spencer Jones joins C.J. Miles as members of almost-Thunder club
Rivals Week (Part 2): OKC Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
Last season: OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers on Jan. 23, 2026
OKC also hosted Indiana on Rivalry Week. And while this matchup made more sense than Milwaukee since the two teams faced off in the 2025 NBA Finals, there wasn't any of the animosity between players or fan bases that makes a rivalry great.
But the same can't be said for my pick. From Chris Finch calling out the officials to Timberwolves fans chanting "Free Throw Merchant" at Gilgeous-Alexander, it's a hostile environment whenever OKC plays in Minnesota. The two teams also met in the 2025 Western Conference Finals and should continue to be competitive, giving the matchup rivalry potential.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who should OKC Thunder face on Opening Night, Christmas Day on 2026-27 NBA schedule?
Continue reading...
