# Is OKC Thunder Still TOP OF THE LEAGUE? Ranking Top Contenders in NBA

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343/is-okc-thunder-still-top-of-the-league-ranking-top-contenders-in-nba
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343/is-okc-thunder-still-top-of-the-league-ranking-top-contenders-in-nba.md
Podcast: [Locked On Thunder - Daily Podcast On The Oklahoma City Thunder](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343)
Published: 2026-09-18T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-thunder/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/2bdbc5/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/997c114a-b046-460c-a16f-287631b27f88/episodes/b193d326-e115-44f5-baeb-286e78e4e2c2/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=997c114a-b046-460c-a16f-287631b27f88&awEpisodeId=b193d326-e115-44f5-baeb-286e78e4e2c2&feed=TEsSygBL
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-thunder-daily-podcast-on-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-620343/episodes/is-okc-thunder-still-top-of-the-league-ranking-top-contenders-in-nba
Duration seconds: 2220

## Resource

Oklahoma City Thunder remain the team to beat in the NBA, bolstered by a trio of All-NBA talent and the promise of Ajay Mitchell’s breakout potential. Despite last season’s Western Conference Finals loss and the departure of defensive anchor Luguentz Dort - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams headline a deep, playoff-tested roster under Mark Daigneault’s leadership. How will Cason Wallace’s expanded role and Chet Holmgren’s rim protection shape their title chase? Rylan Stiles and Nick Crain rank the league’s top contenders, debating the Thunder’s razor-thin edge over the surging San Antonio Spurs and weighing the star power of the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. Key topics include Detroit’s trade market ambitions, the Rockets’ upside with Kevin Durant, and playoff matchups that could shift the championship landscape. Can OKC maintain their dominance, or is a new NBA powerhouse set to emerge?

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## Transcript

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