The NBA unveiled the Thunder's 2024-25 schedule on Thursday. Here are 10 games for OKC fans to look for this season:

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Oct. 24: Thunder at Nuggets

What better way to begin the Thunder’s chase to top 57 wins than with this Western Conference gut check?

OKC and Denver shared some moments a year ago. Blowouts worth dwelling on, a game-winning shot from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander worth savoring. But the two foes, even after a historically tight race, never got to add to those moments in a playoff series.

Both were knocked out of the second round.

With the moves OKC has made, is Denver’s Western Conference fortune being shifted in the Thunder’s favor? The season opener on TNT won’t be a definitive answer, but it’ll be fun.

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Oct. 30: Thunder vs. Spurs

Perhaps the Spurs are closer to the middle than a season ago, but Victor Wembanyama is more notably closer to being among the league’s elite than this time last year.

So long as Wembanyama reaches for superstardom and rival center Chet Holmgren helps the Thunder reach for title contention, a budding Thunder versus Spurs rivalry will be pushed.

With Wembanyama vowing to put fear into his NBA opponents after leaving Paris with a silver medal, it’s worth seeing if his (and now Chris Paul’s) Spurs have closed the gap at all in a brutal Western Conference.

Nov. 15: Thunder vs. Suns

Phoenix’s future as a title contender feels grim after being obliterated by Minnesota in the first round, but Kevin Durant and Devin Booker remain must-see TV.

And there’s always love when Durant returns to Oklahoma City, right?

Beyond the obvious feelings and compelling storylines — OKC is in its second act of being a league powerhouse; Durant is seemingly on the outside looking in — the game marks the Thunder’s first of NBA Cup group play.

OKC’s standing in last year’s in-season tournament went downhill fast. This game is an interesting chance at a different outlook.

Nov. 17: Thunder vs. Mavericks

It’s only been so long since Dallas knocked the wind from OKC.

The young Thunder, outplayed by the Mavericks in a multitude of ways, still had a chance at a Game 7. Instead, it watched Dallas play out its dream, with a sound series win over the Wolves and an NBA Finals berth to top it off.

Surely that should leave a bitter taste.

The two teams’ season series had already been fiery. With added history, Dallas could end up as the Thunder’s most relevant rival over the next few seasons.

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Nov. 29: Thunder at Lakers

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: The Lakers have done little to capitalize on LeBron James’ dwindling time, and are slipping even further down the West’s ranks as a result.

Even still, the Lakers were one of the teams that truly had the Thunder’s number a season ago. OKC lost the final three games of the regular season series.

Some of that was a result of shooting variance, most of it was because of Anthony Davis’ wrath. But with an improved defense and the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, how might things play out this season?

This nationally televised Cup game is an adequate litmus test.

Dec. 31: Thunder vs. Timberwolves

Some traditions never falter.

The Thunder’s New Year’s Eve game is back, and it’s returned with as spicy a matchup as ever: The first meeting of the season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After last year’s final regular season meeting at the Paycom Center, star guard Anthony Edwards shouted about how he couldn’t wait to see the Thunder again. He never got that chance after the Thunder was eliminated from the playoffs.

Edwards, the face of one of the Thunder’s true Western Conference contemporaries, has the chance to finish 2024 off with a bang.

Jan. 3: Thunder vs. Knicks

Beyond Isaiah Hartenstein’s recent departure, there is no extravagant history here.

Just two contenders getting one of their few chances to dance.

The Knicks, with Julius Randle returning and Mikal Bridges in the fold, should steal some lunch money in the East. The Thunder, with the additions of Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, should stiff arm plenty of teams in the West.

This clash should be a stubborn, brutal brawl.

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March 5: Thunder at Grizzlies

How quickly we forget.

What was already a bloody Western Conference playoff picture sees Ja Morant and his Grizzlies return to action, this time as a legit threat.

If Memphis is anything like what anyone remembers, it’ll be back inside the top half of the West’s playoff standings. Regardless, with two fun young guards in Gilgeous-Alexander and Morant, the season series should be as interesting as any.

A trip to Memphis is a fitting start to the Thunder’s demanding March.

March 12: Thunder at Celtics

Fresh off an NBA title, the Celtics remain the team to beat. Entering the season, the Celtics and the Thunder are widely believed to be their respective conference favorites.

The two split the season series last year, though the stakes feel that much higher this year. The Thunder only gets so many opportunities to see how it fares against the East’s most convincing powerhouse.

Will OKC appear to have arrived? Will Boston’s cohesive group make things look as easy as it did in the postseason?

A night at TD Garden amid the most grueling month of OKC’s schedule is the ultimate test.

March 31: Thunder vs. Bulls

Nothing elicits emotions quite like return games.

Though the Thunder will get its first look at new Bulls guard Josh Giddey in October, his return to Oklahoma City means that much more.

How will Giddey be remembered? What might his tribute look like? How different might he look inside the Bulls offense, which at this rate feels like a favorite in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes?

Giddey’s time in OKC defined an era. Now that he’s gone, traded for Caruso and increased title hopes, it’ll be interesting to see how he’s received.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 10 OKC Thunder games to watch on 2024-25 NBA regular-season schedule