NBA 2K26 simulation projects Thunder to defend NBA crown
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Oct. 28, 2025 — A season-long simulation run by 2K Games for the upcoming NBA 2K26 video game forecasts a second consecutive championship for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The virtual campaign predicts Oklahoma City will defeat the New York Knicks in the 2025-26 NBA Finals after surviving a seven-game Western Conference finals against the Denver Nuggets. New York is projected to reach the title round by overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games in the East.
Cover athlete Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is tipped to repeat as both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP, averaging 36.6 points per game in the simulation.
Projected award winners
Rookie of the Year: Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, with 17.6 points per game.
Defensive Player of the Year: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama.
Most Improved Player: Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson.
All-NBA First Team
If the projections hold, the first team would feature Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Source: ESPN
