OKLAHOMA CITY – The 2025-26 NBA season opens with a historic night for the champion Oklahoma City Thunder as they celebrate their first title in franchise history at the Paycom Center.
Before taking on the Houston Rockets, head coach Mark Daigneault and the Thunder players will receive their championship rings and raise a banner in honor of the title. Then, it’s back to work for the defending champions.
The Thunder enter the regular season as favorites to repeat in 2026, but recent NBA history suggests the odds may not be in Oklahoma City’s favor. Over the past 23 years, only three teams have won back-to-back titles: the Golden State Warriors (2017-18), the Miami Heat (2012-13), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2001-02).
Will the 2025-26 Thunder beat the odds? Here are four of the biggest Thunder storylines heading into Opening Night.
### 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shines in Thunder Preseason
After scoring 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting in his preseason debut, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the preseason with a combined 51 points on an efficient 20-for-24 shooting, including 5-for-7 from beyond the arc in three appearances. He played no more than 20 minutes per outing, highlighted by a 23-point performance in a 116-112 win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
From his 29-point effort in the Finals-clinching Game 7 victory against the Indiana Pacers to the upcoming regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander is picking up right where he left off. The league’s reigning MVP and the Thunder’s title defense begin after their championship ring and banner-raising ceremony at the Paycom Center. SGA could be on pace for another MVP campaign.
### 2. Will 2025-26 Be Chet Holmgren’s Breakout Season?
Chet Holmgren looked promising in his preseason debut against the Denver Nuggets in the Thunder’s final preseason game before Opening Night. He finished with nine points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 19 first-half minutes as head coach Mark Daigneault rested his starters after halftime.
Much has been said about Holmgren’s busy offseason, which is expected to translate into his first All-Star campaign. From playing only 32 regular-season games last year to becoming a catalyst for the Thunder’s championship run, there’s plenty of reason to believe 2025-26 will be a breakout year for Holmgren.
Considering Jalen Williams’ All-NBA stride last season as a fellow 2022 draft classmate, it’s reasonable to assume the second overall pick could be headed down a similar path. Barring significant injury—Holmgren’s fourth-year kryptonite—the forward is projected for a big year. He averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game before a pelvic injury cut his 2024-25 season short.
### 3. Mark Daigneault Sees Significant Growth in Cason Wallace
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault frequently reminded reporters throughout the preseason that while his young players proved themselves by winning the NBA Finals, their growth hasn’t stalled. It’s one of the many benefits of being the NBA’s youngest team.
Daigneault singled out Cason Wallace as a player showing marked development heading into 2025-26. Wallace started 43 of the Thunder’s 68 regular-season games last year, often starting on nights Daigneault opted against his double-big starting lineup featuring Isaiah Hartenstein.
Alongside Holmgren, Wallace is among the young players who have shown significant progress. “He just keeps getting better. He’s a developmental player. He’s young. This is only his third season. Sometimes you forget guys are developmental players when they’re that impactful,” Daigneault said.
“Chet is a high-impact player still getting better. Cason is a high, high-impact player still getting better. Even Dub [Jalen Williams], last season was just his third year, and as high-impact as he was, he’s still getting better. Cason has a lot of runway.
“He’s got a lot of things he can still improve on. He worked really hard in the summer. He’s not interested in staying the same. He’s ambitious with his work, as humble as he is. He’s definitely getting better since last season.”
### 4. Jalen Williams to Miss Season Opener and Beyond
The Thunder announced their active Opening Night roster without All-Star Jalen Williams, who is still recovering from surgery on his right wrist. Williams played through a torn ligament in his shooting wrist throughout the Thunder’s championship run last postseason.
Updates on Williams’ recovery have been scarce during training camp and preseason, but the Thunder will begin their title defense without their All-Star forward. The team confirmed that Williams is currently in the “return to play” process and does not expect him to miss an extended period.
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As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to defend their first championship, all eyes will be on their young stars and how they navigate the challenges ahead. Will they beat the odds and capture back-to-back titles? The 2025-26 season promises to be an exciting chapter for the franchise and its fans.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-4-biggest-storylines-champion-preseason-opening-night