Spurs' Wembanyama lone unanimous All-Defensive First Team pick San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, this season’s unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, was the sole unanimous selection for the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team, as announced by the league on Friday. Wembanyama’s dominance on the defensive end, highlighted by his third consecutive league-leading blocks per game (3.1), solidified his status as the league’s premier defender. Joining him on the first team were Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. Holmgren and Thompson, who finished second and third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, respectively, brought their own defensive accolades to the team. Wembanyama’s defensive prowess was on full display during the Western Conference finals against the Thunder, where he challenged Oklahoma City’s two-time reigning NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with his relentless energy and shot-blocking ability. His impact extended beyond individual matchups, as he anchored the Spurs’ defensive identity throughout the season. Holmgren, meanwhile, contributed to the Thunder’s top-rated team defense, averaging 1.9 blocks per game, while Thompson excelled as a perimeter defender, leading the league with 2.0 steals per game. Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, once again dominated the paint, securing his eighth All-Defensive First Team selection and ninth overall honor. White’s defensive contributions helped Boston finish fourth in defensive rating, further underscoring the team’s collective strength.#spurs #victor_wembanyama #oklahoma_city_thunder #chet_holmgren #detroit_pistons
Isaiah Hartenstein Shines as Thunder Dominate Lakers in Western Conference Semifinals The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a commanding 125-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 7 at the Paycom Center. The defending champions extended their playoff dominance to 6-0, taking a 2-0 series lead with Game 3 set for Los Angeles on Saturday. Isaiah Hartenstein, a key contributor for the Thunder, delivered a well-rounded performance with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists in 27 minutes, while Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each added 22 points to fuel Oklahoma City’s offensive firepower. Hartenstein’s impact was felt throughout the game, as he controlled the paint with efficiency and defensive presence. His 9 rebounds, including critical offensive boards, helped the Thunder maintain possession and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. The 26-year-old center also recorded two blocks and showcased his ability to facilitate from the high post, adding an extra dimension to the Thunder’s attack. His contributions were pivotal in the Thunder’s ability to stifle the Lakers’ efforts, particularly in the paint where the defending champions asserted their dominance. The Thunder’s offensive surge was led by Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander, who combined for 44 points and played complementary roles in dismantling the Lakers’ defense. Holmgren, with 9 rebounds, established a physical presence on the glass, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring prowess kept the Thunder’s offense flowing. Ajay Mitchell chipped in 20 points, and Jaren McCain added 18, ensuring the Thunder’s balanced attack left little room for the Lakers to mount a comeback.#los_angeles_lakers #oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #chet_holmgren #isaiah_hartenstein
OKC Thunder's Big Men Duo Transforms Into Playoff Powerhouse The Oklahoma City Thunder’s once-questionable pairing of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein has evolved into a cornerstone of the team’s playoff success, reshaping the franchise’s identity and proving the value of patience and strategic coaching. After initial struggles with chemistry, the duo’s synergy has elevated the Thunder’s offensive and defensive capabilities, becoming a critical factor in their deep postseason run. The experiment began with skepticism. When the Thunder first attempted to start Holmgren and Hartenstein together in late 2024, their on-court interactions were clunky, with both players grappling with injuries and adapting to new roles. Holmgren, a 2022 No. 2 overall pick, had spent his entire career as a center, while Hartenstein, a free-agent signing in 2024, joined the team to bolster the frontcourt after a Round 2 loss to the Mavericks. The early games revealed tension, with Hartenstein acknowledging the challenges: “The first couple games, we didn’t think it was really going to work out.” Coach Mark Daigneault, known for his innovative lineups, remained committed to the experiment. His belief in the duo’s potential paid off as the season progressed. By February 2025, Holmgren and Hartenstein finally found their rhythm, and their partnership became a defining feature of the Thunder’s success. Daigneault emphasized the importance of trust and investment: “If they’re not fully invested in it, it’s not gonna work.” This philosophy culminated in a playoff run where the Thunder’s double-big lineup dominated opponents, outscoring them by 20.9 points per 100 possessions—a stark contrast to the 13.5-point edge from the previous season. The duo’s impact was evident in the Thunder’s playoff performances.#oklahoma_city_thunder #chet_holmgren #isaiah_hartenstein #mark_daigneault #sam_presti
Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference Semifinals Opener The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a decisive 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday, May 6, 2026. The win gave the Thunder a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for Thursday in Oklahoma City. The result underscored the Thunder’s dominance over the Lakers, who struggled to generate consistent offense without their injured star player, Luka Doncic, who missed the game with a left hamstring injury. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each contributed 18 points. The Thunder’s balanced scoring attack, combined with their sharp shooting—hitting 49.4% of their field goals and making 13 of 30 three-pointers—proved too much for the Lakers, who shot just 41.7% from the field. Oklahoma City’s defense also forced 17 turnovers, further complicating the Lakers’ offensive efforts. The Lakers, missing injured All-Star Jalen Williams for the third consecutive game, faced significant challenges. LeBron James carried the team with 27 points, but his efforts were overshadowed by the team’s overall struggles. Rui Hachimura added 18 points, while Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points in the regular season, was held to just eight points on 3-for-16 shooting. The Lakers’ inability to generate consistent scoring was evident early, as they fell behind by double digits in the second half. The game’s first quarter saw the Lakers take an early 7-0 lead, fueled by LeBron’s five points. However, the Thunder quickly adjusted, outscoring the Lakers 11-5 in the first quarter to take a 31-26 lead.#los_angeles_lakers #oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #chet_holmgren #ajay_mitchell
Oklahoma City Thunder Begin Title Defense Against Phoenix Suns in NBA Playoffs Game 1 The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their 2026 NBA Playoffs campaign with a dominant performance in Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns at the Paycom Center on April 19. The Thunder, seeking to defend their back-to-back titles, built a commanding lead in the first half, outscoring the Suns 65-44 by halftime. The game, which started at 2:30 p.m. CT, marked the beginning of Oklahoma City’s playoff run and featured standout play from key players, defensive intensity, and several key incidents that shaped the first half. The Thunder’s early dominance was evident from the opening minutes, as they outscored the Suns 35-20 in the first quarter. Chet Holmgren, the team’s standout center, led the charge with 10 points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in the first 12 minutes. His powerful play, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer, set the tone for Oklahoma City’s offensive efficiency. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15 points, three assists) and Jalen Williams (11 points, six assists) also contributed significantly, helping the Thunder maintain their lead. Oklahoma City’s defense was a critical factor in their success, as they forced Phoenix into turnovers and capitalized on them for 15 points off turnovers in the first half. The Suns, playing without center Mark Williams, struggled to find rhythm, with their offense often disrupted by the Thunder’s aggressive pressure. A 12-0 run in the second quarter extended the Thunder’s lead, and by halftime, the score was 65-44. The game’s first half was also marked by a few key moments. A flagrant foul by Dillon Brooks on Chet Holmgren in the first quarter led to a technical foul and a free-throw opportunity for the Thunder.#oklahoma_city_thunder #phoenix_suns #shai_gilgeousalexander #jalen_williams #chet_holmgren
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Boston Celtics injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (March 25, 2026) The Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics are set to face off on March 25, 2026, at TD Garden. This matchup pits one of the top teams in the Western Conference against a strong Eastern squad. Oklahoma City enters the game with a 57-15 record, while Boston maintains its position in the standings through a strong home performance. The game carries significant weight as both teams aim to secure playoff seeding in the final stretch of the regular season. While Boston holds the slight edge in the all-time series, Oklahoma City has dominated recent encounters, including a 104-102 victory on March 12. Both teams are largely healthy for the matchup. The Thunder’s injury report includes only Thomas Sorber, who is out for the season due to a right knee ACL tear. The rest of the roster, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace, is expected to be available. Boston’s Nikola Vucevic is sidelined with a right ring finger fracture, but the rest of the roster, including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is set to play. Oklahoma City’s starting lineup features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The bench includes Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, and Jaylin Williams, offering depth across positions. Boston’s starting five consists of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis, with Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Al Horford providing bench support. The Thunder’s recent performance highlights their balanced scoring and defensive capabilities.#boston_celtics #oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #chet_holmgren #td_garden
Thunder vs Nets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game The Oklahoma City Thunder are looking to extend their 10-game winning streak as they face the Brooklyn Nets in a matchup that has historically favored the home team. Despite the Thunder’s recent dominance, the Nets are favored by 19.5 points in the spread, with the expert pick leaning toward Brooklyn covering the gap. The Thunder, however, are expected to struggle with their recent back-to-back schedule, having gone 2-9-0 against the spread in such scenarios. Their defensive performance has been solid, allowing just 105.8 points per game during this stretch, but they’ve yet to secure decisive wins. The Nets, on the other hand, have shown resilience in recent matchups, going 4-2-0 against the spread in their last six games. While they’ve lost four of their last eight meetings against the Thunder, they’ve managed to keep games close, suffering only two 20+ point deficits. The Thunder’s ability to win by double digits has been limited during this streak, with just two such victories. This suggests the Nets could provide a challenging test, even if they’re not expected to win outright. For betting, the best value lies with the Nets +19.5 (-110) spread, as the Thunder’s recent struggles against the spread make them an underdog. The same-game parlay (SGP) offers opportunities for bold bets, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) projected to dominate. SGA has already topped 40 points in a recent game and is expected to exceed 30.5 points again, with a strong rebounding performance against Brooklyn. Chet Holmgren is also a key target, with his rebounding numbers over 8.5 likely to be a safe bet. The game’s odds reflect the spread and moneyline dynamics, with the Thunder at -2400 and the Nets at +1200.#oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #chet_holmgren #brooklyn_nets #barclays_center
Cason Wallace's breakout comes with inherent downside Thunder must prepare for The recent emergence of third-year guard Cason Wallace has sparked excitement among Oklahoma City Thunder fans, but the team is quietly preparing for a potential reality check. While Wallace’s 2025-26 season has been his most impactful yet, his rising star power could soon force the Thunder to reckon with financial and roster challenges. At 22, Wallace has become a key contributor for the Thunder, averaging 8.8 points, 2.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 35.0% from beyond the arc. His performance has been even more impressive in February, where he averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals over 12 starts, coinciding with an 8-3 record for Oklahoma City. These numbers have solidified his status as a rising star, with many projecting him as a potential nine-figure earner in his next contract. Wallace’s growth has positioned him as a prime candidate for a lucrative deal when his rookie-scale contract expires in 2027-28. However, this trajectory poses a dilemma for the Thunder, who are already committed to long-term contracts for players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. The team’s financial flexibility is further constrained by the need to navigate the "second apron" — a term referring to the salary cap restrictions that limit roster flexibility. The Thunder’s internal debate over Wallace’s future has been ongoing. For months, the organization has considered whether to prioritize Wallace or veteran guard Lu Dort as their primary two-guard. Wallace’s recent dominance, however, has made this decision increasingly urgent.#oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #cason_wallace #jalen_williams #chet_holmgren
