After a first-seed finish, most assumed the Oklahoma City Thunder would surely spend the next handful of Christmases as part of the NBA’s slate of games.
Instead, it appears the league has declined to invite OKC for its winter holiday celebration. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the five-game Christmas schedule for the 2024-25 season and the Thunder were excluded.
Among the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns were featured.
The surprising decision to leave the Thunder out is perplexing. The last time the Western Conference’s first seed failed to play on Christmas was in 2012 with the San Antonio Spurs.
Even with the Thunder working against the small market they play in, surely the MVP and Rookie of the Year runner-ups from last season would’ve been enough to overcome that bias.
But it looks like that’s clearly not enough as the league prioritizes market over talent in this year’s slate. All the Thunder can do now is force its hands for future seasons with another successful regular season and deep playoff run.
The Thunder last played on Christmas in 2018. A nine-year streak coincided with their dominance at the time led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
