Thunder's schedule now includes gauntlet nobody saw coming

This offseason, a myriad of talented players migrate East largely because of the seismic gap between the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs and the rest of the Western Conference landscape.

Headlined by LeBron James' signing with the Philadelphia 76ers, many suspected the Eastern Conference would be a season-long dogfight. The reigning champion New York Knicks, along with perennial contenders like the Cavs and Celtics, were set to embark on a gauntlet of a season in a conference oozing with talent.

During these infancy stages of the 2026-27 NBA season, however, it appears that both fans and pundits greatly underestimated the prowess of the West, and the Thunder may not have as easy a walk back…