NBA playoffs 2026: Everybody chasing the champion Thunder

AP News — Apr 17, 13:51 PM

Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't focused on becoming a back-to-back NBA champion.

The Thunder, last year's champions and top seed in this year's playoffs, prefer to live in the present.

They start their playoff journey on Saturday.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, says any talk of repeating can wait.

The Thunder had a strong season, never leaving first place in the West.

A first-round matchup to watch: LeBron James and the Lakers taking on Kevin Durant and the Rockets.

The NBA has seen seven different champions in seven years, and contenders like Detroit, New York and San Antonio aim to extend that streak.