NBA referees visited Oklahoma City Thunder training camp to outline 2025-26 emphasis and how calls will be made, giving players and coaches a clearer read before preseason. The Thunder used the sessions to calibrate practice reps and strengthen ties with officials, aiming for smoother games and fewer disputed moments.

Mark Daigneault praised the initiative as productive, noting it formalizes live days and helps anticipate whistles. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder stay diplomatic about calls, maintaining a physical defensive identity while avoiding inflammatory confrontations with referees.

OKC Thunder enter the 2025-26 season as the team to beat, with most of the title-winning roster back and the target squarely on their backs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leans into the pressure, saying it would suck to lose the championship again and that daily improvement is how they extend their title run. The team’s core, guided by Mark Daigneault, faces amplified scrutiny as every opponent circles the defending champs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their first NBA championship by defeating the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling Game 7, clinching the title in 2025. General manager Sam Presti's long-term vision culminated in this victory, with the team showcasing a remarkable 68-win season and a high average margin of victory. The championship is a significant milestone, arriving 17 years after the franchise moved from Seattle. Key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the regular-season MVP, along with rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, formed a formidable trio. Coach Mark Daigneault’s journey from relative obscurity to champion is a testament to his leadership and the team's resilience.