NBA predictions, award, playoff picks: How will SGA, OKC Thunder fare in 2026-27 season?
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Nearly five months after their quest to be the NBA's first repeat champion in a decade fell short in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will open the 2026-27 season against the team that knocked them out May 30.
It'll be the Thunder vs. Spurs in the NBA season opener on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in San Antonio as the league's top rivalry renews.
Will the Thunder return to the NBA Finals for the second time in three years?
Will the Knicks be able to repeat as champs after a storybook season?
Will SGA win a third consecutive MVP award?
Here's how The Oklahoman sports staff projects the 2026-27 NBA season playing out:
Jenni Carlson, Columnist
- Thunder record: 60-22
- Thunder playoffs: Lose in NBA finals
- All-NBA first team: Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Jason Tatum, Victor Wembanyama
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Cam Boozer
- NBA MVP: Victor Wembanyama
- Team on the rise: Sixers
- Team on the decline: Bucks
- Eastern Conference finals: Sixers over Knicks
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Sixers over Thunder
Jordan Davis, Staff writer
- Thunder record: 61-21
- Thunder playoffs: Win NBA title
- All-NBA first team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson
- NBA MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Team on the rise: Wizards
- Team on the decline: Cavaliers
- Eastern Conference finals: 76ers over Knicks
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Thunder over 76ers
Justin Martinez, Thunder beat writer
- Thunder record: 61-21
- Thunder playoffs: Win NBA title
- All-NBA first team: Jalen Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Caleb Wilson
- NBA MVP: Victor Wembanyama
- Team on the rise: Jazz
- Team on the decline: Bucks
- Eastern Conference finals: Knicks over Pacers
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Thunder over Knicks
Joe Mussatto, Columnist
- Thunder record: 59-23
- Thunder playoffs: Win NBA title
- All-NBA first team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Cam Boozer
- NBA MVP: Victor Wembanyama
- Team on the rise: Jazz
- Team on the decline: Pistons
- Eastern Conference finals: Knicks over 76ers
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Thunder over Knicks
Jeff Patterson, Sports editor
- Thunder record: 62-20
- Thunder playoffs: Win NBA title
- All-NBA first team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Caleb Wilson
- NBA MVP: Victor Wembanyama
- Team on the rise: Jazz
- Team on the decline: Bucks
- Eastern Conference finals: Pacers over Knicks
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Thunder over Pacers
Jacob Unruh, Deputy sports editor
- Thunder record: 60-22
- Thunder playoffs: Win NBA title
- All-NBA first team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic
- NBA Rookie of the Year: Darryn Peterson
- NBA MVP: Victor Wembanyama
- Team on the rise: Jazz
- Team on the decline: Hornets
- Eastern Conference finals: Knicks over Cavaliers
- Western Conference finals: Thunder over Spurs
- NBA Finals: Thunder over Knicks
Jeff Patterson is the sports editor for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jeff? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @jeffpattOKC. Support Jeff's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA predictions, award, playoff picks: How will SGA, OKC Thunder fare in 2026-27 season?