Predictions ahead of the 2025-26 Thunder season: Who will hoist the Larry O’Brien in 2026?

The NBA season is officially here, and expectations couldn’t be higher across the league, especially in Oklahoma City. As teams reload and contenders rise, Suave Report’s own Calif Poncy and Addam Francisco dive into their predictions for the 2025-26 season, breaking down everything froim MVP favorites to breakout stars and postseason surprises.

Will the Thunder repeat as champions? Which teams are primed to shock the league? And who’s ready to claim the crown as the league’s next superstar? Let’s get into it.

Calif Poncy’s Eastern and Western Conference Predictions

Eastern Conference:

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers
  2. Orlando Magic
  3. New York Knicks
  4. Atlanta Hawks
  5. Detroit Pistons
  6. Milwaukee Bucks
  7. Boston Celtics
  8. Philadelphia 76ers
  9. Miami Heat
  10. Chicago Bulls

….anything after 10 we’re not even going to mention.

Western Conference:

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder
  2. Denver Nuggets
  3. Houston Rockets
  4. Minnesota Timberwolves
  5. Los Angeles Lakers
  6. Los Angeles Clippers
  7. Golden State Warriors
  8. Dallas Mavericks
  9. San Antonio Spurs
  10. Portland Trail Blazers

Finals Prediction:

Oklahoma City repeats, defeating the New York Knicks in 6.

Regular season MVP:

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Finals MVP:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Bold predictions?:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will all make an All-NBA team.

Addam Francisco’s Eastern and Western Conference Predictions

Eastern Conference Predictions:

  1. Orlando Magic
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers
  3. Atlanta Hawks
  4. New York Knicks
  5. Milwaukee Bucks
  6. Detroit Pistons
  7. Miami Heat
  8. Boston Celtics
  9. Philadelphia 76ers
  10. Chicago Bulls

Western Conference Predictions:

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder
  2. Denver Nuggets
  3. Minnesota Timberwolves
  4. Los Angeles Lakers
  5. Houston Rockets
  6. San Antonio Spurs
  7. Dallas Mavericks
  8. Los Angeles Clippers
  9. Golden State Warriors
  10. Sacramento Kings

Finals Prediction:

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeat the Orlando Magic in 5 games.

Regular season MVP:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

Finals MVP:

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Bold Predictions?:

The Thunder lose to the San Antonio Spurs 3-of-4 times during the regular season and beat them in 6 games in the Western Conference Finals.

About the author

Founder & Editor-in-Chief. National Association of Black Journalists. University of Central Oklahoma.

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