Completing two straight series sweeps, the Oklahoma City Thunder enjoy another mini-vacation. They await to see who they face in the 2026 Western …
Updated March 21, 2026, 6:17 p.m. CT
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards walks to the bench before receiving a double technical against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. Both Justin Champagnie #9 of the Washington Wizards and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder received double technicals were ejected from the contest.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots in front of Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles past Sharife Cooper #13 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles past Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Alex Sarr #20 of the Washington Wizards points against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder points against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (7) dribbles as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) defends during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Chet Holmgren (7) jumps center against Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Chet Holmgren (7) blocks the shot of Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Will Riley (27) defends Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talks with guard Alex Caruso (9) against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Tristan Vukcevic (00) defends Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) blocks the shot by Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) reaches for a rebound against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jamir Watkins (5) shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) dribbles as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) defends during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Sharife Cooper (13) dribbles as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) defends during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr (20) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center/forward Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Will Riley (27) dribbles as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) defends during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) on the court against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Brad Mills, Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Mar 21, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jamir Watkins (5) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
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Feb. 23, 2026, 1:00 p.m. CT
On the receiving end of a physical foul, Dennis Schroder’s temper quickly boiled. He swiftly turned around. Ready to confront whoever pushed him from the back. Until he realized it was Nikola Topic. The career journeyman seamlessly went from The Hulk to Bruce Banner.
Even though Schroder has gained a reputation over the years as a pesky player, he’s held a soft spot for the Oklahoma City Thunder. After all, his best two seasons were with them from 2018-20. He finished runner-up in the latter year playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort.
Fast-forward six years, Schroder finds himself at a new NBA home. Something he’s done every other month, it feels like. He’s joined the Cleveland Cavaliers — as well as James Harden and Keon Ellis. The East contender’s newest toys rode a seven-game win streak with the new additions.
The short-handed Thunder snapped that with a surprising 121-113 win over the Cavaliers. Sans Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the short-handed squad had a sizzling-hot start and rode that wave to the rare upset victory to remain ahead for the West’s first seed.
Schroder had 11 points and seven assists off the bench. Donovan Mitchell and Harden were equally absent. Each scored an inefficient 20 points as Lu Dort and Cason Wallace hounded them all game long.
Afterward Schroder, showed some love to OKC across social media. He called it a ‘special place’ to play. Even though he’s antagonized the entire league at this point, no amount of rage-baiting will cause Thunder fans to grow annoyed with his antics.
Always cool to see Schroder visit the Thunder. His stint was brief, but he provided some good memories. Especially with the 2019-20 OKC squad that also had Chris Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander. Who knows — maybe he’ll be back in June for a possible 2026 NBA Finals.