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Oklahoma City Thunder to skip White House visit as 2025 NBA champions due to scheduling conflict

The Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA champions, will not make the traditional White House visit to celebrate their title due to a timing conflict with an upcoming game.[1]

The Thunder are scheduled to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday evening at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. A team spokesperson said discussions had taken place with the White House, but the timing did not align.[1]

"We have been in touch with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out," the team said in a statement.[1]

The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 22, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City to claim the championship.[1][2]

It was unclear whether a formal invitation had been extended. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation.[1]

The White House has a tradition of hosting visiting sports champions. On March 20, 2026, President Donald Trump welcomed the Navy Midshipmen football team after their Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy win.[1]

Teams have previously declined White House invitations, including the Golden State Warriors in 2017 after their NBA title amid public statements from players.[3]

Sources

  1. Fox News Digital, "Reigning 2025 NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder won’t visit White House due to timing issue", March 21, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com
  2. Associated Press, "NBA Finals Game 7 photo caption: Thunder win championship", June 22, 2025, https://apnews.com
  3. Encyclopædia Britannica, "Golden State Warriors 2017 NBA championship and White House visit controversy", accessed March 2026, https://www.britannica.com