OKC just broke a 7-year curse.
Since 2019, the defending champs have NOT made it past the 2nd round the next year... until now.
Take a look:
🏆 2019 Raptors: Champs
❌ 2020 Raptors: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2020 Lakers: Champs
❌ 2021 Lakers: Lost in 1st round
🏆 2021 Bucks: Champs
❌ 2022 Bucks: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2022 Warriors: Champs
❌ 2023 Warriors: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2023 Nuggets: Champs
❌ 2024 Nuggets: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2024 Celtics: Champs
❌ 2025 Celtics: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2025 Thunder: Champs
❌ 2026 Thunder: IN CONFERENCE FINALS
Before OKC, the last defending champ to make the Conference Finals the next year was...
The 2019 Warriors, who went back to the Finals in 2019.
Now that the Thunder have gotten over one hurdle, another one is looming
The NBA hasn't had a back-to-back champion since the 2017 and 2018 Warriors.
Will OKC be next?
OKC just broke a 7-year curse.
Since 2019, the defending champs have NOT made it past the 2nd round the next year... until now.
Take a look:
🏆 2019 Raptors: Champs
❌ 2020 Raptors: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2020 Lakers: Champs
❌ 2021 Lakers: Lost in 1st round
🏆 2021 Bucks: Champs
❌ 2022 Bucks: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2022 Warriors: Champs
❌ 2023 Warriors: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2023 Nuggets: Champs
❌ 2024 Nuggets: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2024 Celtics: Champs
❌ 2025 Celtics: Lost in 2nd round
🏆 2025 Thunder: Champs
❌ 2026 Thunder: IN CONFERENCE FINALS
Before OKC, the last defending champ to make the Conference Finals the next year was...
The 2019 Warriors, who went back to the Finals in 2019.
Now that the Thunder have gotten over one hurdle, another one is looming
The NBA hasn't had a back-to-back champion since the 2017 and 2018 Warriors.
Will OKC be next?
