The Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer the NBA’s best-kept secret.
After winning the 2025 championship, they’ve transformed into the target every franchise is aiming for.
Competitors have begun their offseason preparations, desperately trying to match what OKC accomplished.
It’s important to remember that the championship journey wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Lu Dort recently admitted that there were times the Thunder were “nervous” about their chances to win it all.
“The [Denver] Nuggets had us shaking a bit … and Game 4 against the [Indiana] Pacers. We were nervous for that game, not gonna lie,” Dort said, via Legion Hoops.
Lu Dort on which teams had OKC worried during the playoffs:
“The Nuggets had us shaking a bit… and Game 4 against the Pacers. We were nervous for that game, not gonna lie.”
(h/t @LeagueAlerts) pic.twitter.com/PdD1wqKWB0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 3, 2025
Despite the pressure Denver created in the second round, Oklahoma City delivered when it counted most.
After trailing the series 2-1, they cruised to a dominant Game 7 victory, the kind of finish that speaks volumes about their championship DNA.
Indiana presented a different type of challenge in the 2025 NBA Finals.
The Thunder faced genuine playoff nerves and appeared to stumble in Game 1 when Tyrese Haliburton gave the Pacers a win in the final seconds.
Again trailing a series 2-1, the Thunder were trailing in Game 4 before rallying to win it and then the title in Game 7.
Oklahoma City’s ability to regroup and push forward demonstrated the incredible maturity of such a young roster.
The Thunder made a bold statement throughout the season, crafting one of the most dominant defenses in modern NBA history.
Anchored by an elite perimeter trio of Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, they embraced a swarming, high-pressure style that consistently rattled opposing guards.
Their relentless disruption generated turnovers and created transition opportunities, which were particularly on display against the Pacers.
Simply put, their defense made a huge difference in their championship run.
