The Oklahoma City Thunder have been nothing short of dominant, finishing as the number one seed in the West for the past two seasons. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning Regular Season MVP and Finals MVP — alongside All-Star teammate Jalen Williams, the Thunder have compiled an incredible 147-50 record across the regular season and playoffs. They capped off their historic run with a well-deserved championship, becoming the second-youngest team in NBA history to do so, with an average age of just 25.6 years.
After an offseason that kept their core intact, the Thunder are poised not only to defend their crown but also to build a dynasty. However, this will be no easy task. There hasn’t been a back-to-back champion in the past seven years, and with an abundance of rising talents, battle-tested veterans, and master tacticians across the league, even a juggernaut like OKC remains vulnerable.
So here are the top five teams that could stand in their way.
5. NEW YORK KNICKS
The Knicks had some struggles during the regular season, but flipped the switch in the playoffs when it mattered most. They outlasted a young and promising Pistons squad, stunned the previous champions, before ultimately bowing out to the battle-tested Pacers, who reached their second straight Eastern Conference Finals.
Spearheading the charge is Jalen Brunson. The star guard not only captured the Clutch Player of the Year Award but also put together a historic playoff scoring run, putting him into one of the league’s best. Since his arrival in 2022, the Knicks have steadily increased their win total both in the season and in the playoffs each year—a trend likely to continue with an even deeper roster heading into next season. The supporting cast is just as reliable with Robinson defending the paint. Karl-Anthony Towns thrived in his first year as a Knick, posting his highest scoring average in the last three seasons, along with a career-best in rebounds, while the addition of Yabusele brings a solid lift on both ends. On the wings, the Knicks boast one of the strongest duos in the league with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, both of whom The Athletic has labeled as potential All-Stars. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson provides a proven scoring punch from the bench. With all that and Mike Brown expected to bring in a fresh system, the Knicks’ new version appeared positioned for a much bigger season.
4. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The arrival of Jimmy Butler has completely reshaped the Golden State Warriors, elevating them from a middling play-in team into a true playoff contender. His defensive toughness and veteran leadership have seamlessly complemented Golden State’s system, giving the team a sharper identity on both ends of the floor. The results speak for themselves: the Dubs closed the season ranked in the top ten in defensive rating, offensive rebounding percentage, and defensive rebounding percentage, while also leading the entire league in assist percentage. The team has also shown remarkable resilience in the playoffs despite battling multiple injuries.
Stephen Curry continues to lead the way. He’s still one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA, and he’s been especially hot against OKC. Over the last two seasons, he torched them for 29.2 points in five games while shooting a blistering 50% from three-point range. Last season, the Warriors held a 2-1 advantage against them, winning both games that Curry played. Backing him up is the ever-reliable Draymond Green, who continues to be a force in defense. His stellar play last season gave him his 5th All-NBA Defensive Team selection. Given the balanced mix of proven veterans and fast-rising talents, the Warriors enter the new season with momentum and a blueprint for sustained success.
3. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers have the star power to match the Thunder. LeBron James continues to be a force in the league at age 40. Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged 23.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in seven games against a young and physical OKC team. On the other hand, Luka Doncic has been lethal against them, especially in the 2023–24 playoffs, where he put up 25 points, 9 assists, and 10.5 rebounds per game, eliminating the #1-seeded Thunder. Now that he’s in a much better shape, Doncic is primed for another MVP-caliber season.
The new version of the Lakers looks more like legitimate title threats than ever. They finally added a true center in Deandre Ayton. Though Ayton has had ups and downs in his career, he was a central part of the 2021 Phoenix Suns team that reached the Finals. If he gets back to the top of his game, he’s more than just an automatic double-double machine. Jake LaRavia is also an underrated addition — a much-needed 3-and-D player for the Lakers. Last season, he shot 42% from three while also showing improvement as an all-around player. Marcus Smart, the former Defensive Player of the Year, brings toughness and hustle to the squad. Combined with the continued ascent of Austin Reaves, fans can look forward to an exciting season for the purple and gold.
2. DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks were already a capable playoff team, but a successful offseason has elevated them to new heights. Their roster is stacked with talent, headlined by the No. 1 draft pick, Cooper Flagg. At just 18, Flagg has drawn comparisons to LeBron James and is already being hailed as a generational talent. A versatile and polished player, he’s a strong offensive threat, most dangerous in transition, where his playmaking and athleticism shine. He can also play multiple positions while being a terrific defender. His resume backs it up, having led Duke to the Final Four in the NCAA and impressing against the U.S. men’s national team during Olympic practice. With his skills, he should immediately be a strong contributor for the team.
The rest of the squad is equally imposing with a combination of size and defense. The frontcourt duo of Lively and Gafford controls the rebounds and locks down the paint, while Washington provides the firepower. Notably, the Thunder struggled to match this lineup in the 2023-24 Western Conference Semifinals. Washington averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds, while Gafford and Lively combined for nearly 18 points and 15.3 rebounds, powering the Mavericks to a 4-2 series win. Last season, the Mavs were also the lone team in the league to have a 3-1 season advantage against OKC. With an All-Star caliber in Anthony Davis, this group becomes a nightmare to deal with. Their wings are also full of excellent two-way threats, while their backcourt is just as special. With Russell and Thompson both providing scoring brilliance and veteran experience, the team will have stability while Kyrie Irving works his way back from injury. If the team can be healthy, the Mavs have all the tools to make a deep run in the playoffs and stop the defending champions.
1. DENVER NUGGETS
The 2023 champions have built their identity on elite offense, ranking inside the league’s top 10 in scoring for nine straight years. That firepower was on full display last season, pushing OKC to seven games, and this time around, they look even more dangerous.
Their offseason moves were on point. Cam Johnson is the headline addition—a reliable 3-and-D forward who brings a lot of experience from the Suns’ 2021 Finals run and showed his scoring ability in Brooklyn, averaging nearly 19 points while hitting 39% from deep. He may not have the same offensive ceiling as Michael Porter Jr., but his defense fills a glaring need for Denver, which finished just 22nd in defensive rating last year. Jonas Valanciunas adds more punch to their already solid inside presence, coming off a strong year with the Kings, where he put up 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Bruce Brown, a major part of their 2023 championship run, is back to give them a boost on defense, while Tim Hardaway Jr. provides extra firepower from beyond the arc. He shot 37% last season and should help a Denver squad that ranked near the bottom of the league in threes attempted and made.
Of course, their core remains the engine. Nikola Jokic is still the standard, finishing top three in the MVP voting for five consecutive years. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are battle-tested and proven playoff performers, both shining last year even while dealing with injuries. Christian Braun is quickly becoming an X-factor, doubling his scoring output from the previous season while knocking down nearly 60% overall and 40% from deep. With a blend of championship experience, new defensive toughness, and a reloaded offense, Denver looks primed not just to challenge the Thunder but to spark a rivalry in the years to come.
