Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort Toronto Homecoming

The Oklahoma City Thunder are highlighted as a must-watch team this NBA season, featuring prominently on key dates including Opening Night, Christmas Day, and MLK Day. They are also scheduled for 34 National TV games, tying with major market teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors for the league's highest exposure.

Specific attention is given to matchups against the Toronto Raptors, partly due to the presence of Canadian stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort. The Thunder even played a preseason game in Montreal to allow Dort to compete in his hometown, adding emotional significance to these contests. The two regular-season games between the teams are scheduled after the new year, with the Thunder expected to be in strong form and the Raptors navigating a competitive Eastern Conference.

Lu Dort's defensive performances against Toronto are notably impactful, often resulting in increased steals, particularly against the Raptors' backcourt. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as a reigning scoring champion, faces a potentially divided crowd in Toronto, adding intrigue to the matchup. These games are anticipated to bring excitement to an otherwise routine regular season, especially against a non-contending team like the Raptors.