In this insightful article, sports columnist Joe Mussatto reflects on his bold predictions for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025-26 NBA season, offering a mix of self-analysis and commentary. He reviews his 10 predictions, assessing what he got right and what he got wrong, with a focus on the team's performance and individual player achievements.
Mussatto's predictions covered a range of topics, from the team's championship chances to individual player performances. He accurately predicted that the Thunder would not repeat as champions, despite being preseason favorites, and that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would not lead the NBA in drives per game. However, he missed on several other predictions, including the number of Thunder players averaging 20-plus points and Ajay Mitchell receiving a Most Improved Player vote.
One of the more interesting predictions was that Cason Wallace would get more starts than Isaiah Hartenstein. This turned out to be true, with Wallace making more starts in the season. Mussatto also correctly predicted that SGA would finish second in the MVP race, despite initially picking Nikola Jokic. However, he missed on the prediction that Isaiah Hartenstein would make a 3-pointer, with Hartenstein attempting seven 3-pointers and making none.
Mussatto's analysis extends beyond the predictions, offering insights into the team's dynamics and the broader NBA landscape. He discusses the importance of process over results, the challenges of predicting player performance, and the impact of individual player roles on team success. He also touches on the team's draft picks, including the selection of Ajay Mitchell and the trade of Dillon Jones.
Overall, Mussatto's article provides a thoughtful and engaging reflection on the Thunder's season, offering a mix of personal analysis, commentary, and insights into the team's performance and the broader NBA context.
