Latest news and updates about the Thunder
Brook Lopez scored 26 points as the Los Angeles Clippers erased a six-point deficit in the final 2:43 to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-112 on Friday night. The post Brook Lopez leads Clippers past Thunder with late rally appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
Jared McCain electrifies the Thunder with a 30-foot buzzer‑beating three to cap the third quarter against the Clippers on Nov. 14, pushing Oklahoma City to an 84-81 lead. Despite his 23 points on 7‑of‑11 threes, the Thunder fall 113-112 after Darius Garland’s and‑1 play and a late foul on McCain. The loss marks the Thunder’s third straight, dropping them to 8-5, while the Clippers improve to 3-8. With key injuries to Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, McCain’s 18.8‑point average and 45.6% three‑point shooting make him a vital offensive option.
In a Friday night clash at the Intuit Dome, Oklahoma City rookie Nikola Topic debuted with a textbook alley‑oop to Isaiah Hartenstein, who slams the dunk despite the Thunder’s two‑game skid. Topic, the No. 12 pick in 2024 who missed his rookie season with an ACL tear and battled testicular cancer last year, delivered the perfect lob in the first quarter. Hartenstein, holding steady at 8.0 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists, continues to fill Chet Holmgren’s void. With injuries sidelining Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder lean on a next‑man‑up mindset to spark a comeback against the Clippers.
The Portland Trail Blazers, now 8-3 and fifth in the West after sweeping the Oklahoma City Thunder, chase a third straight win against the Sacramento Kings. Center Robert Williams III dazzles with a thunderous lob dunk that lands Dylan Cardwell on a poster, showcasing his athleticism after a injury‑plagued start to his Portland tenure. Coming off a blockbuster trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Boston, Williams is averaging 7.6 points, 6.6 rebounds in 16.4 minutes and forms a formidable defensive duo with Donovan Clingan. His health will be key to the Blazers' rotation.
A recent trade proposal has the OKC Thunder handing the Clippers a first-round pick, though it may not be the one they'd prefer to have.
The OKC Thunder should now set their sights on the New Orleans Pelicans just in case the Dejounte Murray trade request sparks an all-out fire sale.
Despite the Lakers’ league‑best 11‑2 record, former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins doubts they’re true title contenders until they notch a signature win against a genuine threat. On the Road Trippin’ Show, Perkins cites missing victories over Oklahoma City, Houston, the Spurs, the Knicks or a full‑strength Detroit team as proof they haven’t proved themselves, even though they beat the Pistons and Trail Blazers. With an offense ranked first but a defense at 18th, the Lakers face a litmus test on Nov. 27 at the Spurs.
The Utah Jazz’s season focus shifts to the NBA Cup after a 1‑11 start, offering a tangible goal beyond rebuilding. Writer @_roundball praises the in‑season tournament, citing its exciting inaugural Final—Los Angeles Lakers (LeBron James 24pts, AD 41pts) beating Indiana Pacers 123‑109—and the 2024‑25 showdown between Giannis‑led Milwaukee Bucks and Damian Lillard’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The post argues that reaching the NBA Cup Final would signal the Jazz’s readiness to compete for a championship.
The OKC Thunder still need a lineup boost, and it may come from what they already have.
Nikola Topic is returning to an OKC Thunder team that will have opportunities for him that he's never seen before.
Former first-round draft pick Doug McDermott has retired after 12 seasons in the NBA.
The Oklahoma City Thunder face the LA Clippers on Nov. 13 after back‑to‑back losses to Portland, with rookie guard Ajay Mitchell listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain. Mitchell missed the latest game against the Blazers, but his recent surge—averaging 21 points on 54% shooting in eight starts—makes his availability a key factor, especially with Jalen Williams sidelined. The Thunder’s injury slate also includes Holmgren (right knee) and several others, while the Clippers sit without Bradley Beal (right knee) and Brandon Ingram (heel). Mitchell’s status could tip the balance in the NBA Cup matchup.
Even after the Nique Clifford trade, the OKC Thunder may not be done making moves this season.
The Thunder have a ton of ways to improve their team via the 2027 NBA Draft.
New York Times reporter Jonathan Abrams releases *When We Were Young and Fearless*, a deep‑dive into the Oklahoma City Thunder era that featured future MVPs Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The book chronicles their 2010‑13 run, the 2012 NBA Finals loss to the Miami Heat, and the subsequent trades that split the trio. Abrams shares exclusive insights—Durant’s introspection on leaving for Golden State, the limited access to Westbrook and Sam Presti, and behind‑the‑scenes what‑ifs that still spark debate. The work aims to explain how those three players helped reshape the modern NBA, making it a must‑read for fans of the Thunder’s rise and fall.
The OKC Thunder are falling well short of their usual level of production in what is generally their most dominant approach to putting points on the board.
The 2025-26 Phoenix Suns returned to respectability with 45 wins, fighting through two play-in games before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a quick sweep. Through 10 games this season, the Suns (4-6) have yet to click, as the competition in the Western Conference is unforgiving.
The NBA injury report for Friday, Nov. 13 lists Stephen Curry, Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren as out, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is marked probable and Klay Thompson questionable for Miami. The brief notes the latest availability of key stars ahead of upcoming games.
Seattle-born, Texas-raised sports journalist Landon Buford turns a YouTube wipe‑out into a comeback. After losing his monetization and video library, the creator rebuilds his channel in November 2026, already pulling 19,000 views, 147.4 watch hours and steady new subscribers despite a sub‑10,000 base. Buford continues fresh NBA post‑game coverage and interviews with stars like Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander and CJ McCollum, while expanding his reach through LandonBuford.com, contributions to Sports Illustrated and Lindy’s Sports, and the Waiver Wire Selection Podcast. His story highlights the need for multi‑platform diversification for independent creators.
Veteran center Isaiah Hartenstein opens up about the Oklahoma City Thunder's injury-plagued stretch after a 118-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 13, 2026. Despite missing Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Nikola Tić, and Thomas Sorber, Hartenstein emphasizes accountability and a winning mindset, noting his own 20‑point, 11‑rebound, six‑assist line‑up. He highlights the need for new front‑court chemistry with rookie Aday Mara while recalling the successful early‑season pairing of him and Holmgren. The Thunder aim to bounce back on the road against the LA Clippers in an NBA Cup matchup.
In a Spotify interview, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander reveals his three favorite Drake albums. He ties "Take Care" and "Nothing Was the Same" for the top slot (1A/1B) and places "ICEMAN" at No. 2, despite earlier calling the 2026 release the best album of the year. Gilgeous‑Alexander explains the shift after discussing the rankings with friends and notes Drake’s evolving narrative, even dubbing the rapper the greatest of all time. The ranking appears around the 1:40 mark of the interview, offering insight into the player’s musical tastes.
The OKC Thunder can't seem to hold up on either side of the floor when out on the perimeter.
The Santa Cruz Warriors have re‑signed wing Dalen Terry after his brief two‑game stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Terry, a 24‑year‑old 6’6" 3‑and‑D prospect drafted 18th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2022, was waived by OKC despite a two‑year non‑guaranteed contract and is now set to debut in Santa Cruz’s home opener. In his limited NBA action he logged 2 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist in 11 minutes, averaging 3.5 points and 44.3% shooting over 218 career games.
Charles Barkley declares the San Antonio Spurs the "team to beat" on Inside the NBA, citing their 10‑game winning streak after a 22‑point comeback win over the Chicago Bulls (124‑119). Victor Wembanyama led with 32 points, nine rebounds and five blocks, while Dylan Harper added 18 points, 10 assists and four steals. Barkley argues the Spurs outrank all other teams, especially as the injury‑hit Oklahoma City Thunder struggle. Former player Kenny Smith predicts the Spurs will use last season’s NBA Finals loss as motivation to contend again. With Wembanyama, Harper, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio appears poised for a strong season.
The Blazer’s Edge examines fan frustration over perceived biased officiating against Portland, spotlighting a recent 136-129 win over the Lakers where referee Nate Cearley’s calls sparked debate. A mailbag submission criticizes missed fouls on OKC’s Isaiah Hartenstein and alleged favoritism toward Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, arguing that such calls keep the Trail Blazers from elite status. The piece then explores the psychology of fan perception, noting how isolated bad calls loom larger than the many correct ones and why supporters feel singled out. It questions whether the referees are truly unfair or if cognitive bias fuels the controversy.