Dwiane Wade leaves OKC out of his NBA Finals predictions
When is it Oklahoma City Thunder got off to a smoldering start, winning 24 of their first 25 games, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that they would return to the NBA Finals.
But while The Thunder still have the best record in the league at 45-15, they have looked rockier in recent weeks, especially with injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Oklahoma City is eager to defend its title, but for an NBA legend Dwiane Wadethat won’t happen as he predicted on “The Zach Love Show” where the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons will meet in this year’s NBA Finals.
“I’ve watched the Spurs, I’ve done a few of their games. Even though I don’t feel like they should be ready. They should be a team for the next three years, but they just do things sometimes. You look at their roster, you look at their guys, with the right matchups, they’re going to be tough to beat,” Wade said.
The Thunder have lost three of four meetings with the Spurs this season, including in the NBA Cup semifinals, where San Antonio also ended OKC’s 16-game winning streak.
As for the Pistons, Wade, who works as an analyst for NBC and Prime, said their depth will carry them to the final round.
“I just watched Detroit the other night in New York without (Jalen) Duren and without (Isaiah) Stewart, and I didn’t see them miss a beat. I was like, ‘This team is deep.’ They know their style, they know their game, they know how to win. It’s difficult when the team doesn’t have to understand,” explained the three-time champion.
The Thunder lost to the Pistons on Wednesdaythough they were sorely depleted without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell.
Oklahoma City will have another tough test on Friday against the Denver Nuggets.
2026-02-27 05:05:00
