Oklahoma City Thunder season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and what to know for 2026-27

The Oklahoma City Thunder are back and aiming for the top of the NBA mountain in the 2026-27 season. After finishing last year with a strong 64-18 record but falling short in the West Finals to the San Antonio Spurs, this team is hungry for more.

This offseason, GM Sam Presti made some major moves to keep the core intact while adding fresh talent. They drafted Aday Mara at No. 12, Bennett Stirtz at No. 16, and Otega Oweh at No. 41. On the free agent front, they locked down big man Isaiah Hartenstein with a three-year, $75.5 million deal. However, they had to say goodbye to key pieces like Isaiah Joe (traded to Detroit), Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort (both traded to Atlanta), and Branden Carlson (signed with Portland).

Ranked No. 1 in the preseason power rankings, the Thunder have plenty to be excited about. Last season, injuries to Jalen Williams and a dip in efficiency for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wore the team down. The solution? Expect to see more ball movement to ease the load on SGA. With players like Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Cason Wallace, and the rookies ready to handle the rock, the offense could be more dynamic than ever.

On the concerning side, the team’s great chemistry might face some tests. As the young players mature and contracts like Cason Wallace’s come into play, the locker room vibe could shift. But on the court, this roster is built to win.

Preseason observations show that Jalen Williams looks fully recovered, showing great drive and defensive effort. Aday Mara and Jared McCain are stepping up, and SGA is getting off the ball more, which could open up sudden attacks. If his passing becomes more automatic with all the attention he draws, the offense will be nearly unstoppable.

For fantasy managers, keep an eye on Aday Mara, who has looked sharp in preseason. The battle between Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell for the starting spot is another intriguing storyline, though Presti has hinted Wallace will get the nod. Both are solid picks in fantasy drafts.

The Thunder open their season on the road against the Spurs on October 20th, followed by a home game against the Nuggets on October 22nd.

From a betting perspective, the win total is set at 61.5. They are heavy favorites to win the division at -600 and sit at +260 to win the NBA Finals.

In the best-case scenario, a healthy Thunder squad could easily target the No. 1 seed and flirt with 70 wins, given their elite defense and top-tier coaching. In the worst case, an injury to SGA could hurt, but even without him, they went 8-6 last year amidst a wave of injuries. Their defense travels, and as long as they keep turning teams over, they will remain a top contender.