The NBA’s 2026-27 regular season schedule has given the Thunder a clear spotlight, and nowhere is that more obvious than in their four nationally televised meetings with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City is set for 30 national TV appearances overall, the fifth-most in the league. Only the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are ahead, each with as many as 34. That kind of exposure says plenty about where the league sees the Thunder in the NBA’s pecking order.
It also says something else: the schedule-makers think Thunder-Timberwolves has real staying power. All four of Oklahoma City’s matchups with Minnesota will be shown nationally, a strong sign the league expects this pairing to deliver.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards continue to be treated like rivals, even after Gilgeous-Alexander made easy work of Edwards in the 2025 Western Conference Finals. The matchup has more star power around it now, too, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on Oklahoma City’s side and Minnesota’s newly-acquired LaMelo Ball joining Edwards. With Edwards and Ball, the Timberwolves should be Gen A's favorite backcourt.
The first meeting comes on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Oklahoma City on ESPN. That game is part of the 2026 NBA Cup West Group B schedule.
The Thunder then head to Minnesota on Friday, Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. CT for a Christmas Day game on ABC and ESPN. Christmas has long been one of the NBA’s marquee regular-season dates, so it’s no surprise to see Oklahoma City included - even if the road setting is a little unexpected after what would have been an OKC holiday home game in another scenario.
Two more nationally televised games follow after the 2027 NBA All-Star break, when the standings picture should be sharper. Oklahoma City hosts Minnesota again on Tuesday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m.
CT on NBC and Peacock, then closes the regular-season series on Sunday, Mar. 28 at 6:30 p.m. CT in Minnesota on NBC and Peacock.
By then, the stakes could be even higher. The Thunder may be battling for the top seed again, while the Timberwolves could be chasing homecourt in the first round. Whatever the seeding looks like, the league clearly expects this rivalry to keep producing big nights.
In Other News...
Westbrooks Farewell Just Hit Thunder Fans Right In The Heart
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One of the more notable reactions came from DeMar DeRozan, who shared a public goodbye after they were teammates with the Kings last season. DeRozan has since moved on to Denver on a one-year deal and is expected to handle a Sixth Man role, but his message added a personal touch to a moment already loaded with nostalgia. For Thunder fans, it is another reminder that even as the league keeps moving, Westbrooks place in the story of Oklahoma City still resonates far beyond the final box score. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Just Locked In A Title Piece At A Stunning Value
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What makes the deal especially notable is the price point, which leaguewide has already drawn attention as a bargain for a center of Hartensteins caliber. He took a little less than his market value to stay in Oklahoma City, a sign of how much the situation matters to him and how well the fit has worked so far, even if the full implications for the Thunders long-term cap picture will continue to be watched closely. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Suddenly Have A Young Rotation Battle Fans Should Watch
The Thunder are heading into a familiar kind of reset, one that usually comes with a champions problems instead of a rebuilding teams. After offseason departures thinned out the rotation, Oklahoma City is expected to lean more heavily on rookies and other untested pieces as it sorts through the minutes left behind by Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
That is where the real interest starts to build for Thunder fans, because this is no longer just about keeping the bench afloat. Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz are all in position to get a look, and Stirtz has the kind of profile that could make him harder to ignore if the team needs more perimeter scoring. His college shooting efficiency gives him a chance to outplay expectations, which can turn a quiet competition for rotation spots into one of the more intriguing early season storylines. [Read more 🡒]