Stiles says decision to remove OKC Thunder from NBA Christmas schedule is outrageous

The NBA leaked its Christmas schedule on Thursday night, and it included a shocking omission. On the most important day of the NBA season, the best team in the Western Conference, which has two straight top-five MVP finishes, the coach of the year and two rising stars on its roster to complement a championship-caliber rotation, will be missing for the holiday.

While seven West teams found their way into the five games on the slate, the Thunder were passed over and all excuses are ineffective.

The biggest reason is market size, even though San Antonio made the cut. Sure, the Spurs land on the pass list because of Victor Wembanyama's star power, even though he's only in his second season and one of the most recognizable names in the sport. But market size was never an issue for the Thunder to land on Christmas Day for their eight-year run from 2010-2018.

The lack of stars is also a valid excuse considering what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander represents as a player, not to mention Cher Holmgren and Jalen Williams, both of whom have carved out a niche group of fans for themselves, with Holmgren having been part of the NBA fan ecosystem since his high school days.

The worst part about this whole scheduling debacle, however, is the fact that there isn't a single game on this list that isn't boosted by the Thunder.

Take Spurs-Knicks, for example: If you take the Knicks out of the equation, you have Holmgren versus Wembanyama, which could potentially be the next big NBA rivalry. If you take the weak Spurs out of the matchup, you're left with Isaiah Hartenstein returning to New York, and a matchup between two of the league's top teams.

Celtics-76ers: With only two games against these two teams, OKC will either have to face the best team in the NBA in Boston – the only team picked over them – or see a homecoming for Paul George.

Mavericks-Timberwolves: In addition to replaying last year's second-round game, which represented the best series of the 2023-24 postseason, a game against their divisional opponents, who were so out of shape even after a win over Oklahoma City that they questioned the integrity of the league, would make for exciting television.

Lakers-Warriors: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are impressive in every game, but especially against the young kids the NBA world is dying to crown, especially considering how hard the Thunder beat the purple and gold a year ago. Similarly, the last time we talked about potential dynasties, the Golden State Warriors were in the midst of a golden era. If they get the band back together for an awkward, semi-dangerous farewell tour, can they outlast the kids one last time?

Nuggets-Suns: The selling point for the Nuggets is also simple, as division rivals square off. Holmgren is battling Jokic, who snatched an MVP award from Gilgeous-Alexander, while countering from Jamal Murray, whose Olympic flop cost the Thunder duo a medal. Plus, the Suns are only on this list because of the Kevin Durant factor, which only gains significance when he plays against his former team, which is on the verge of a similar streak to what he did in Bricktown.

Any way you look at it, Oklahoma City is an asset to this holiday schedule in another year where the NBA's biggest day is overshadowed by the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, CJ Stroud and the big, bad NFL.

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