Analyst Picks Thunder to Win 2027 NBA Title Over Sixers in 6 Games
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 20
Analyst Picks Thunder to Win 2027 NBA Title Over Sixers in 6 Games
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 20
Summary
Oklahoma City was forecast to beat Philadelphia in six games for the 2026-27 NBA championship, with the analyst projecting the Thunder to top San Antonio in the West finals and the Sixers to edge New York in the East.
A full season from Jalen Williams underpins the Thunder pick, with the preview arguing Oklahoma City would regain the lineup flexibility and two-way edge that slipped in last season’s conference-finals loss to the Spurs.
Philadelphia was cast as the main Eastern threat after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while defending champion New York drew some skepticism after losing Mitchell Robinson to Boston.
The season preview also pegged Darryn Peterson for Rookie of the Year, Fred VanVleet as the most impactful returnee from major injury, and Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma City as top Western contenders.