Paige Bueckers exploded for 44 points in a career night, the most by a rookie in WNBA history, as the Dallas Wings fell 81-80 to the Los Angeles Sparks. The performance amplified her star power, with All-Star starter status and a courtside spotlight that included Ellen Pompeo and Shemar Moore, who later connected with Bueckers in the tunnel. The night underscored the draw of a breakout rookie who can lift a franchise’s fantasy appeal even in a loss.

The scene wasn’t only about Bueckers; Holmgren and Green were among the onlookers, signaling cross-sport interest in the league. Bueckers is averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals this season, a profile that fantasy managers will monitor as Dallas tries to maximize her playmaking around a Wings attack. The Sparks’ late-game defense slammed the door on a potential playoff push for Dallas, but the legend-in-the-making moment should echo through the rest of the season for fantasy and bettors alike.

Jalen Williams lands a 90 overall in NBA 2K26, ranking 21st nationally, as the Thunder place five players in the top 100: Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein. Williams’ breakout season earned him first-time All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defense recognition, capped by a 40-point Game 5 in the 2025 Finals. Oklahoma City’s 68-14 regular season and their Larry O’Brien Trophy run underscore a new era, with Williams solidifying himself as a franchise anchor and fantasy threat.

The list spotlight reinforces Williams as a prime asset in fantasy lineups, while SGA, Holmgren, Dort and Hartenstein provide complementary high-floor production. Williams’ averages of 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists on a championship cohort signal a peak ceiling that fantasy managers will chase this season. The Thunder’s core, built around elite rookie-to-pro progression, suggests a continued window of upside and steady weekly fantasy contributions.

At 24, Williams is entering his prime, and the 90 rating elevates his draft-day allure. The Finals MVP-type burst makes him a natural target for managers seeking versatile scorers who can contribute across scoring, boards and assists. The Thunder’s mix of youth and experience around him signals a sustained fantasy-friendly environment in OKC, even as SGA and Holmgren carry heavy workloads.

OKC Thunder's 2025-26 schedule signals a return to heavy national spotlight, with 34 national TV games tying the league’s top clubs. Opening Night features a home date with Houston, setting the tone for a season in which the trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren headlines a title-hopeful roster. The schedule underlines OKC as a premier fantasy and real-world asset, combining marquee matchups with a high-exposure slate that could propel their win totals and individual numbers.

The Thunder’s core remains built around Shai's scoring and playmaking, Holmgren's two-way versatility, and Williams' growing impact on both ends. The national TV emphasis should translate into elevated usage and fantasy upside, while also demanding careful rest management. Opening Night against Houston sets a sharp early gauge, with marquee tests ahead against the league’s elite and a broader path to sustained success through the season.

Expect ongoing attention on rotation balance, minutes, and opponent quality as OKC navigates a schedule heavy with national attention. For fantasy managers, the slate reinforces Shai as a potential top-tier pick, Holmgren as a breakout candidate, and Williams as a steady contributor whose fantasy floor could rise with increased exposure. The combination of real-title buzz and fantasy upside makes OKC a focal point as the season unfolds.

Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein teamed up in an offseason workout, signaling major continuity for Oklahoma City’s frontcourt. The two-big aesthetic aims to preserve and expand the Thunder’s defensive identity while health becomes the major variable. The vibe is clear: health-friendly growth for Holmgren, complemented by Hartenstein’s versatility, could push OKC back into top-tier contention as the 2025-26 season arrives.

OKC prizes the same core, betting that a healthy, more cohesive frontline can sustain strong paint defense and efficient lineups. If Holmgren stretches his shooting and avoids setbacks, and Hartenstein keeps providing rim protection and playmaking, the Thunder look poised to elevate their ceiling and maintain a playoff-caliber trajectory, even in a rugged Western landscape.

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams emerge as the core of Oklahoma City’s fast-rising attack, with Lu Dort anchoring the defense as the Thunder chase a multi-faceted ceiling. Holmgren’s near-unstoppable versatility—scoring, shot-blocking, and a developing playmaking touch—keeps him squarely in fantasy superstar conversations, especially in multi-cat formats. Williams adds a malleable scoring and rebounding profile, offering a high floor with significant upside as OKC builds around their youth alongside Dort’s two-way impact. T.J. McConnell’s remarks about the Pacers’ Game 7 setback hint at a pivot point for Indiana, where McConnell’s return could lift facilitations and defensive pressures, potentially boosting teammates in deeper leagues. As the Finals narrative threads through the scene, OKC’s young trio remains a focal point for fantasy managers eyeing breakout potential and sustainable value from a fast-improving franchise.