Would OKC Thunder be able to repeat their 2025 heroics?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as heavy favorites to win the 2025-26 NBA Finals just after winning their first title (second, overall) on Sunday, June 22. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 29 points, five rebounds, and 12 assists, defeated the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game 7 to lift the NBA 2025 Championship title. Soon after it, they opened as favorites to repeat their heroics and lift the title the next season.
According to BetMGM, Oklahoma City is +240 favorite to win the 2025-26 NBA title. These are the shortest preseason odds for any team since the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors’ odds of -168 to win the championship. After the Thunder, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are +750 and +800, respectively, to lift the crown. The Knicks are tied with the Houston Rockets at the same odds following Kevin Durant’s trade.
They are followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Pelicans to win at +1400. The Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets are +1600 favorites to win the title the next season.
The Indiana Pacers’ odds of winning the title in 2026 seemed to be fumbling after Tyrese Haliburton’s right Achilles tendon tear followed by a long rehabilitation period. The Pacers are now 15th favorites to win the title at +4000 and sixth favorites in the Eastern Conference at +1400 at BetMGM. According to ESPN Bet, the Pacers were +1000 to win the title before Haliburton’s injury, but the odds fell drastically similar to BetMGM.
Notably, Haliburton sustained a right Achilles tendon tear in the first quarter of the 2025 NBA Finals Game 7. He played a crucial role in guiding the side to their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years. While the Pacers had established themselves as strong contenders to lift the title after winning Game 6 and tying the series 3-3, two-time NBA All-Star’s injury ruined their dreams.
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