Thunder–Cavaliers Matchups Highlighted as Potential NBA Finals Preview in 2025-26 Schedule
NEW YORK – The NBA has slated two regular season matchups between the Oklahoma City thunder adn the Cleveland Cavaliers for national television broadcast in the 2025-26 season, signaling the league’s belief in the potential of these teams as championship contenders. The declaration comes as the full 2025-26 regular season schedule was recently released.
Both the Thunder and Cavaliers enjoyed exceptional 2023-24 seasons, finishing with the best records in their respective conferences.Oklahoma City led the league with a historic 68-14 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference and ultimately winning the 2025 NBA Finals. Cleveland finished with a 64-18 record, earning the Eastern Conference’s first seed, but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers in five games.
The NBA is betting on continued success for both franchises. The Thunder have locked up key players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and chet Holmgren with contract extensions, aiming for a repeat championship run. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, return their core of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, who both had career seasons last year, alongside Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.
The first nationally televised matchup will take place on Monday, January 19, as the thunder travel to Cleveland. The afternoon game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock as part of the NBA’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day schedule.
A month later, on Sunday, February 22, the Cavaliers will visit Oklahoma City for an afternoon game on ABC, part of the NBA’s weekly sunday primetime lineup following the Super Bowl.Despite being considered small-market teams,the Thunder and Cavaliers’ dominant performances last season are expected to draw meaningful viewership,offering fans a potential preview of the 2026 NBA finals.