Oklahoma City Thunder
Organization in Basketball
Oklahoma City Thunder has come up in 23 episodes across 2 podcasts in TMT, including The Bill Simmons Podcast, Pardon My Take. 10 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Bill SimmonsSportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast
Simmons argues the Thunder should ride it out rather than overreact after losing to the Spurs.
“The move is just to ride it out. You won the title last year. You went against a crazy freak”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Finals Pick, Greatest Knicks Ever, ‘Made’ N.Y.C. Stars, and Big NFL Trades With Max Kellerman (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 1:40:14
Simmons favors a Thunder trade for Trey Murphy built around the 12th and 17th picks, citing their lack of three-point shooting.
“If I'm them, I'm tired of not quite having enough three-point shooting”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 1:10:17
Simmons expects the Thunder to get creative with their surplus picks instead of standing pat, to avoid wasting SGA's prime.
“I'm just not wasting this SGA window when he's this good”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 50:39
Simmons contends that Chet Holmgren was the reason the Thunder lost Game 7.
“but ultimately Chet's why they lost. I don't want to do the Monday morning, you know, first take, just blame a guy”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 8:34
Zach LoweRinger NBA analyst referenced repeatedly
Lowe prefers the Thunder keep their core together and seek revenge rather than panic-trade for Giannis.
“the main part of the gang, that's more fun to me as a neutral fan than panic trade for Giannis”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 1:06:59
Lowe calls Holmgren's Game 7 performance unacceptable for a player of his caliber, with lasting effects.
“Because that was just not an acceptable performance of a guy from a guy of his caliber. And the whole series was leading to that”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 14:23
Lowe argues Holmgren has reached a stature where he must impose himself on every series, not only favorable matchups.
“At some point, you reach a stature where every series has to be your series”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 25:55
Lowe identifies Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell, Caruso, Jalen Williams and Holmgren as the Thunder's best lineup, two of whom are injured.
“And the lineup would have been Shea, Mitchell, Caruso, J-Dub, Chet. And I think that's the best five that they can put out”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 12:02
Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
Katz suggested the Thunder might have won Game 7 had they not played Lu Dort, since the Spurs could ignore him defensively.
“I actually think that the Thunder might have won this game if they didn't play Lou Dort”
Pardon My Take: Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks and Finals With Mike Breen, SCF With Keith Yandle Plus Who’s Back Of The Week (Jun 1, 2026) · Listen from 13:20
Katz argued that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best player in Game 7 even though the Spurs were the better team.
“without being called a thunder glazer that SGA was the best player in Game 7. The Spurs were the best team”
Pardon My Take: Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks and Finals With Mike Breen, SCF With Keith Yandle Plus Who’s Back Of The Week (Jun 1, 2026) · Listen from 9:48
Katz argues that widespread hatred of the Thunder is good for the NBA, contrary to discourse that they are bad for the league.
“And I think that hate is awesome for the NBA. Because a lot of the discourse is OKC is bad for NBA”
Pardon My Take: Knicks To The Finals, Wemby Domination, Saints RB Travis Etienne, Saints Safety Justin Reid, Who’s Back Of The Week And More (May 26, 2026) · Listen from 30:27
Doc RiversMilwaukee Bucks head coach
Rivers argues Sam Presti learned that acquiring role players like Caruso and Hartenstein, not just stars, changed the Thunder.
“You know what changed their team? He went out and got Caruso and Hardenstein”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 1:45:13
Rivers said Oklahoma City's playoff loss proved that there are no dynasties in the current NBA.
“Mid-season, Bill, everyone said there's a dynasty, and it's in Oklahoma. And we've been proven once again. There are no dynasties”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 38:48
Max KellermanAmerican sports broadcaster and co-host of the Game Over podcast with Rich Paul
Kellerman cautions against giving up on Chet Holmgren, comparing him to Stephen Curry maturing in the clutch.
“I still think that he is an example of how a player can mature in the clutch and not that Chet is Steph Curry”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Finals Pick, Greatest Knicks Ever, ‘Made’ N.Y.C. Stars, and Big NFL Trades With Max Kellerman (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 1:52:21
Kellerman argues Michael Jordan's perfect Finals record created an 'anxiety of influence' that has warped how basketball greatness is judged.
“He has created an anxiety of influence in basketball that has warped the way we think about basketball”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Finals Pick, Greatest Knicks Ever, ‘Made’ N.Y.C. Stars, and Big NFL Trades With Max Kellerman (Jun 2, 2026) · Listen from 1:43:07
Rob MahoneyThe Ringer NBA writer and co-host of The Ringer NBA Show
- Didn’t happen
Mahoney predicts Oklahoma City will win Game 7 against the Spurs, though with little confidence.
“I think OKC will win. I don't feel great about it. Clearly, the line between these two teams is very thin”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 29:17
Mahoney argues Lu Dort's minutes should be sharply reduced in Game 7 in favor of Alex Caruso.
“It needs to be like a Caruso playing 36 minutes and a Ludort playing 10 to 15 minutes”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 26:49
Ryen RussilloSports broadcaster and host of The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russillo says he will pick OKC over the Spurs because the Thunder have more playoff experience.
“I wish I had something cooler to say other than, hey, OKC's been through it a little bit more”
Pardon My Take: Ryen Russillo In Studio, NFL Schedule Release, Zoo Trades, Playoffs And Fyre Fest (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:21
Russillo criticizes teams resting top players in marquee regular-season games as gamesmanship.
“I think they took out their top 10 guys in that fifth game, which I'm just so tired of that gamesmanship stuff”
Pardon My Take: Ryen Russillo In Studio, NFL Schedule Release, Zoo Trades, Playoffs And Fyre Fest (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 53:35
Kirk GoldsberryBasketball analytics writer and visual analyst, contributor to The Ringer
Goldsberry observes Gilgeous-Alexander's popularity outside Oklahoma City is unusually low for so dominant a player.
“his approval rating outside of his home market seems to be the lowest we've seen for a player who is that dominant”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 1:41:31
Goldsberry argued the Thunder's biggest playoff red flag is Jalen Williams not performing at his prior level as the clear number two option.
“I think one of the reasons they didn't win last night is because J-Dub wasn't simply at the level we expect him to be at”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 5:20
ZachNewest Pardon My Take staff member, Knicks fan
Zach admitted he had been terrified of the Knicks facing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Now that it's over, I will say that I was terrified of SGA”
Pardon My Take: Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks and Finals With Mike Breen, SCF With Keith Yandle Plus Who’s Back Of The Week (Jun 1, 2026) · Listen from 31:43
Tracy McGradyHall of Fame NBA player, NBC analyst and founder of a one-on-one basketball league
McGrady said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander manipulates officiating as James Harden did, which he dislikes but accepts.
“I think SGA has manipulated the game the same way James Harden manipulated the game”
Pardon My Take: Tracy McGrady, Knicks Go Up 2-0, James Harden Is Still James Harden, Boat Pictures And Fyre Fest of The Week (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 1:35:29
Predictions
- Didn’t happenBill Simmons
Simmons also leans toward the Thunder in Game 7, noting it would be unusual for a young team to win on the road.
“I'm leaning OKC as well. It would be unusual for a team this young to come back from 3-2”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 31:00 · Oklahoma City Thunder
Simmons leaned toward Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference finals, but the San Antonio Spurs won 111-103 in Oklahoma City on May 30, 2026, taking the series 4-3. That sent the Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014.
Sources: 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 7: Spurs vs Thunder, May 30, 2026 · As it happened: Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 of Western Conference finals · Who Won the 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals? Everything to Know
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Didn’t happenRob Mahoney
Mahoney predicts Oklahoma City will win Game 7 against the Spurs, though with little confidence.
“I think OKC will win. I don't feel great about it. Clearly, the line between these two teams is very thin”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 29:17 · Oklahoma City Thunder
Mahoney picked Oklahoma City to win Game 7, but San Antonio won 111-103 on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and moved on to the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 22 points and Julian Champagnie added 20.
Sources: As it happened: Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 of Western Conference finals · Who Won the 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals? Everything to Know
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Came trueBill Simmons
Simmons predicted the Thunder would complete a sweep of the Lakers in the next game.
“It's going to be really interesting to see who's at that game tomorrow because it's clearly going to be a sweep”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Wizards Win (Something!) and More Lottery Reactions, Plus the Juggernaut Knicks With Joe House, Tate Frazier, and Chris Vernon (May 11, 2026) · Listen from 1:26:20 · Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder beat the Lakers 115-110 in Game 4 to sweep the Western Conference semifinal series 4-0. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Chet Holmgren hit a go-ahead dunk with 32.8 seconds left. The game was dated Tuesday, May 12, 2026 in Philippine time, which means it was played on the evening of May 11 in the US.
Sources: Thunder sweep Lakers (SunStar) · Thunder vs Lakers Game 4: live score updates, highlights, 2026 NBA playoffs 2nd round series (Yahoo Sports/The Sporting News)
Checked Sep 30, 2026
- Came trueBill Simmons
Simmons predicts the Lakers will be swept by Oklahoma City unless the Thunder have a very poor shooting game.
“And they're going to get swept unless, okay. See just has a game where they shoot like 30%, which I don't see it happening”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 3:49 · Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City swept the Lakers 4-0 in the 2026 Western Conference second round. The series ended with a 115-110 Thunder win in Game 4 in Los Angeles on May 11, 2026, well before the May 31 deadline.
Sources: Thunder 115-110 Lakers (May 11, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · Thunder 115-110 Lakers (May 11, 2026) Final Score - ESPN
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Prediction · due Apr 2031Zach Lowe
Lowe predicts that, barring catastrophic injury, the Thunder and Spurs will be 58-plus-win teams for the next five years.
“it just seems unlikely that they are going to be anything but like 58 plus win teams for the next five years”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Part 2: Cleveland Survives, Knicks-Sixers, and Whaddya Do for Denver, Houston, and Atlanta With Zach Lowe (May 4, 2026) · Listen from 1:04:19 · Oklahoma City Thunder
- Can’t be judgedZach Lowe
Lowe predicted the playoffs cannot be normal this year even if the eventual champion is conventional.
“I think there's no chance. There's no chance we're getting a normal playoffs”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: UConn’s Miracle, Weirdest NBA Season Ever, A Scary Playoff Team Draft, and an Iffy Expansion Plan With Zach Lowe (Mar 30, 2026) · Listen from 1:31:59 · Oklahoma City Thunder
In the 2026 playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs beat the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 4–3 in the West finals, and the New York Knicks swept Cleveland 4–0 and then beat the Spurs 4–1 in the Finals (June 3–13). Lowe's claim that there was 'no chance' of a 'normal playoffs' uses a subjective, undefined standard, so these results can't clearly confirm or refute it.
Sources: 2026 NBA Playoffs Summary - Basketball-Reference · 2026 NBA Finals - Wikipedia · Biggest Winners and Losers From the 2026 NBA Finals - SI
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Came trueBill Simmons
Simmons said if Jalen Williams does not return to last year's form, San Antonio could beat Oklahoma City in a playoff series.
“If they don't get J-Dub back the way he was last year, I think they're really vulnerable against San Antonio. I think San Antonio could absolutely beat them”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: NBA Hot Takes, OKC’s Red Flag, and Giannis vs. Father Time With Kirk Goldsberry and Joe House (Mar 26, 2026) · Listen from 14:39 · Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams, slowed all season by a recurring hamstring injury that cost him 49 games, missed three conference-finals games, played 10 minutes in Game 6 and was ruled out of Game 7. San Antonio then beat Oklahoma City 4–3 in the 2026 Western Conference finals, winning Game 7 111–103 on May 30, 2026.
Sources: Who Won the 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals? Everything to Know · As it happened: Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 of Western Conference finals · 2026 NBA Finals · Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder, SF - News, Stats, Bio - CBS Sports · 2025–26 Oklahoma City Thunder season
Checked Oct 6, 2026
Coverage over time
Podcasts
- The Bill Simmons Podcast · 16 episodes
- Pardon My Take · 7 episodes
Episodes
2026 NBA Draft Winners and Losers With Joe House and J. Kyle MannThe Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 24, 2026 · 1 h 59 min
Bill Simmons, Joe House, and J. Kyle Mann react live on Netflix to the 2026 NBA draft's first round, naming winners and losers team by team.
- NBA Draft Questions, Harper vs. Fox, and the USMNT’s World Cup Ceiling
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 19, 2026 · 2 h 11 min
Bill Simmons previews the 2026 NBA draft and Finals fallout with Tim Legler, then discusses the USMNT's World Cup outlook with Anthony Dabbundo.
- 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 17, 2026 · 1 h 60 min
Bill Simmons and Doc Rivers break down the Knicks' 2026 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, Jalen Brunson's legacy, Mike Brown's coaching, and Giannis trade scenarios.
- The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan.
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 4, 2026 · 2 h 5 min
Bill Simmons and Doc Rivers break down the Knicks' Game 1 NBA Finals win over the Spurs, then Simmons answers mailbag questions and discusses Euphoria's finale and TV versus movies with Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan.
- A Finals Pick, Greatest Knicks Ever, ‘Made’ N.Y.C. Stars, and Big NFL Trades With Max Kellerman
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jun 2, 2026 · 2 h 8 min
Bill Simmons and Max Kellerman discuss the Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown trades, preview the Knicks–Spurs NBA Finals, rank the greatest Knicks, and weigh OKC's future.
Spurs Win Game 7, Knicks and Finals With Mike Breen, SCF With Keith Yandle Plus Who’s Back Of The WeekPardon My Take · Jun 1, 2026 · 2 h 29 min
The Pardon My Take crew reacts to the Spurs' Game 7 win over the Thunder, then interviews Mike Breen on the NBA Finals and Keith Yandle on the Stanley Cup Final.
- Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 31, 2026 · 1 h 37 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react live to the Spurs beating the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals and preview Spurs-Knicks.
TJ Oshie, Spurs Force A Game 7, Baseball and Presidents + Fyre Fest Of The WeekPardon My Take · May 29, 2026 · 2 h 30 min
The Pardon My Take crew previews Spurs–Thunder Game 7, debates Pochettino and Christopher Sanchez, and hosts TJ Oshie on playoff hockey, Olympic shootouts and golf.
- Game 7 Fever in OKC, NBA Lottery Reform, and a Mega-Mailbag With Rob Mahoney, David Jacoby, and Joe House
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 29, 2026 · 1 h 51 min
Bill Simmons and Rob Mahoney react to the Spurs forcing Game 7 against the Thunder, then Simmons, David Jacoby and Joe House discuss NBA lottery reform, Cavs losers and a mailbag.
- A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 27, 2026 · 1 h 45 min
Bill Simmons and Tim Legler break down Thunder-Spurs Game 5 and the Knicks' Finals run, then Brian Koppelman reflects on the Knicks reaching the NBA Finals.