Addam M. Francisco, MLS

Four Cities in Five Nights: Chet Holmgren Ascended Four cities in five nights. The Oklahoma City Thunder conquered all four. From the classic inside Paycom Arena, to the two snoozers in Dallas and Chicago, to the thriller inside Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden, the Thunder handled business in style, quieting the chatter that the San Antonio Spurs were closing in on the top seed in the Western Conference. At this point, there’s not much left to say about the consistency of the reigning MVP.

Four cities in five nights. The Oklahoma City Thunder conquered all four.

What stood out the most? Chet Holmgren.

Standouts from the Blue’s victory By DJ Armstead Nikola Topic wrapped up his third G League appearance with the Oklahoma City Blue, finishing with 18 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds. The 6-foot-6 point guard from Serbia continued to show why the Thunder are excited about his long-term development. “I thought he battled every minute he was in the game,” Blue head coach Daniel Dixon said.

Standouts from the Blue’s victory

By DJ Armstead Nikola Topic wrapped up his third G League appearance with the Oklahoma City Blue, finishing with 18 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds. The 6-foot-6 point guard from Serbia continued to show why the Thunder are excited about his long-term…

All-Star Weekend Through My Lens: Shai, Chet, Jared… and Me Breaking down the full All-Star experience through the lens of the reporter covering it.

Many reporters covered All-Star Weekend but me? I decided to document it.

I did a diary-style breakdown from my perspective of the weekend.

Black History isn’t Linear: Access to Ownership First there was access, but for Black athletes, that wasn't enough. Ownership became the standard.

Black History isn’t Linear: Access to Ownership

First there was access, but for Black athletes, that wasn't enough. Ownership became the standard.

When the Moment Called, Isaiah Joe and Chet Holmgren Answered The Oklahoma City Thunder needed a response, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Cleveland, they found it through two very different but equally important performances. Coming off a frustrating loss, OKC got back on track in a big way, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-104 and improving to 36-8 on the season. But this win was not defined by the final score as much as it was by…

The box score told one story but the flow of the game told another.

Isaiah Joe changed the tone early, stretching the floor and settling OKC when things started to stall. Chet Holmgren owned the second half when things appeared out of rhythm.

My story on tonight's Thunder win.

What Does Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mean to the Oklahoma City Thunder? Much has been made of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic start to the season, but plenty has unfolded beneath the surface. A 24-1 run, two Jalen Williams injuries, an extended absence from Isaiah Hartenstein, and a steady rotation of nagging issues have all shaped the journey. On Monday afternoon, that journey pauses for something bigger. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Thunder take the floor for a 1:30 PM matinee against Cleveland, a day that asks players to reflect not just on basketball, but on legacy, purpose, and responsibility beyond the game.

What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Watch what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have to say here.

Oklahoma City Has a Nonchalant Problem Despite a record-setting start to the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have spent the last three weeks reminding us of a simple truth: they are not invincible. That reality does not mean OKC is no longer the NBA’s best team or that they are suddenly unfit for another title run. They are still very much championship-caliber. But a 3–4 stretch over their last seven games, including three losses to the San Antonio Spurs, has exposed something talent alone cannot mask.

For most of the season, the Thunder’s calm has been a strength.

Lately, it’s been a liability. Oklahoma City may have a nonchalant problem.

Full breakdown:

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Joins Converse Basketball, Extending the SGA Legacy Converse Basketball just added another creative mind to its roster, and the signing feels like a family reunion. Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is officially joining the Converse family, brought in by none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the brand’s Creative Director for Converse Basketball and one of the most influential tastemakers in the league. For Nickeil, this isn’t just a shoe deal.

“I’ve always approached basketball as a way to express who I am. Partnering with Converse gives me the space to be creative not just in how I play, but in how I show up."

My story on Converse signing Shai's cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Isaiah Hartenstein’s bag keeps growing.

My story on Skechers Basketball signing the Thunder big man. 👏🏽

Persistence: The Thunder’s Biggest Flex If I told you the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder would shoot 31.5 percent from three to start the season, Jalen Williams wouldn’t play a single minute through the first seven games after follow-up surgery on his injured wrist, and Chet Holmgren would miss three of those seven games with back soreness, would you believe me if I said that team was 7-0; the last undefeated team in the NBA?

When I asked Mark Daigneault what’s stood out most about his team’s start, he didn’t mention shooting, defense, or chemistry. He said one word: persistence.

That single word might explain why Oklahoma City is the last undefeated team in the NBA.

My story:

Ajay Mitchell: The Unexpected Spark in OKC’s Perfect Start In the 41 games Ajay logged during his rookie season, most were optimistic. Most saw the potential. But I don’t think anyone had “double figures in his first five games” on their bingo cards for Year Two.

Coming into the season, OKC’s story was simple: Shai, a repeat title run, and running it back with the same squad.

But quickly, we realized there’d be one BIG difference: Ajay Mitchell.

📰 Sam did it again.

Breaking down the sports gambling arrests of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier The FBI held a press conference this morning unveiling details of an extensive sports gambling and game-rigging operation that has sent shockwaves through the sports world and beyond. According to the FBI, current and former NBA players and coaches Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones are among 30 individuals arrested in a scheme that spanned more than a decade across 11 states.

If you're not fully understanding what's happening with the arrests of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones, I've condensed it down for you here.

A City Grown Up: Ring Night in Oklahoma City I grew up in a city where a trip to Harkins Theatre felt like the big outing. That was Oklahoma City to a kid born in the 90s. Simple, quiet but full of proud civilians. Fast forward to last night. The skyline feels taller, the options are louder, and the headliner is a championship banner rising inside the Ford, or, I mean Paycom Center.

For a 90s kid who remembers the bombing and a 00s pre-teen who spent weekends at Harkins, last night’s ring night was a full-circle moment.

And of course, the Thunder played with a chip on its shoulder, just like the City.

On the eve of the NBA's regular season, it's time for our predictions for the Eastern Conference, Western Conference, MVP and more.

What do you think?

Shai Previews New White Colorway Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is pulling off the impossible: MVP-level game, NBA champion pedigree, best point guard in the league, and the biggest fashion icon — all at once. He doubled down on that claim today, previewing what looks to be his next Shai 001 colorway: an all-white stunner that turned heads before he even touched the floor. I caught the moment by the back door of the interview room.

My blurb about Shai previewing what appears to be his next colorway of his signature shoe, continuing the momentum from last season.

It’s Dub’s Turn: Jalen Williams and the Thunder’s Next Leap Jalen Williams isn’t just a sidekick anymore. His third season mirrored the same steps Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took before his MVP leap: All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defense, and a growing off-court prof…

Jalen Williams followed Shai's blueprint last season with an All-Star nod, All-NBA and All-Defense honors, plus a growing off-court presence.

As he enters his fourth season, the question is whether it’s Dub’s turn to take the leap. I think so.

thesuavereport.com/2025/09/25/i...

From Almost Retired to Tampa Bay’s X-Factor: Shepard Shines Sterling Shepard contemplated retirement before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 campaign. Between injuries, life’s circumstances, and already having a fruitful eight-year career, retirement seemed like a realistic option for the Oklahoma City native. But everything changed when “Shep” got the call from his college quarterback, Baker Mayfield, about teaming back up. Long story short, Shep delayed full-on dad mode and mornings on the golf course to lace ’em up again.

From nearly retiring and going full dad mode to making clutch catches for the Bucs, Sterling Shepard’s second act is proving impactful.

James Woodard moves back to Germany to suit up for Baskets Oldenburg Arcadia, Oklahoma native James Woodard is headed back to Germany to play for Oldenburg.

Arcadia, Oklahoma native and former @TUMBasketball star James Woodard is headed back to Germany to play for Oldenburg.

Read our story on Woodard building on his fruitful overseas career.

Is McLaughlin-Levrone the most dominant athlete in sports? Her dominance in Tokyo poses the question Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone just did something that reminds us why she’s in her own lane, literally and figuratively.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s absolute dominance every time she steps on the track raises one question: is she the most dominant athlete in sports?

Langston’s Marching Pride is Ready to Dominate the National Stage With grueling rehearsals, a diverse group and nerves that sharpen focus, the Pride is set to carry its sound and its culture onto the biggest stages .

From “no audience appetite” to the Pepsi Battle of the Bands this weekend, and halftime of the Chiefs-Eagles game, Langston’s band is turning nerves into perfection.

My story:

2025-26 Schedule Release: Top 10 Nationally Televised Thunder Games Just eight weeks after hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the Oklahoma City Thunder now have their eyes on a fresh slate of games for the 2025-26 season — one that includes a massive Opening Night matchup to relaunch “NBA on NBC” after a 23-year break, an ESPN debut on the network’s opening night, plus marquee showdowns on Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr.

I know the Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champs, but it’s still wild to think they’ll be the most nationally televised team in the league this season.

I narrowed it down to the 10 must-see nationally televised games for you here:

A New Era: First Look at OKC’s Future Arena Oklahoma City’s vision for the future became a little more real on Wednesday. For the first time, the public got a glimpse of what the new downtown arena — future home of the NBA champion Thunder — is expected to look like. Mayor David Holt revealed the renderings during his annual State of the City address, joined by architect David Manica, who walked the crowd through the early conceptual design for the $900 million venue.

My story on the first glimpse of OKC's new arena, slated to open it's doors for the 2028-29 season.

Check it out:

Topic, Mitchell and Barnhizer take the lead in OKC’s Summer League debut The NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their 2025 Summer League campaign in familiar fashion, opening the first leg in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Thunder are set for the foreseeable future and don’t need much in terms of roster additions—but there are a few things that Thunder fans, this writer, and likely Sam Presti wanted to see.

How'd Ajay, Nikola and Brooks play?

Article from Summer League game No.1:

The Historic Last Week of Thunder Basketball from Suave’s Perspective “I thought about that little kid—the one who dreamed of moments like this,” said Sorber, braces flashing after being drafted by OKC. “And my family too.” At just 19, Sorber already embodies the Thunder’s values: humility, work ethic, and culture fit—on and off the court.

Took a different approach to this one, documenting the last week of Thunder basketball, from the perspective of...well, me.

Check it out:

Getting to know Thomas Sorber from Georgetown Thomas Sorber’s story runs deeper than basketball.

Getting to know Thomas Sorber, the Liberian kid from Philly who just became the newest addition to the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

How the Thunder Rewrote the NBA’s Championship Blueprint Through patience, culture, and cold-blooded execution, OKC proved that small-market greatness isn’t a myth. This is how a team forged through loyalty and vision became NBA champions.

After years of heartbreak, a rebuild, and an uncommon approach, the Thunder are NBA champions.

A small-market team just changed the narrative around the NBA.

My story:

From Opposite Sides of OKC to Behind the Booth: The Rise of Face2Face Face2Face isn’t just spinning tracks—they’re building culture, creating community, and making sure everyone feels the beat. From themed nights to their Juneteenth event, here’s how they’re flipping the script in OKC.

Two DJs from two sides of OKC. One duo redefining the city’s sound.

From Afrobeat to trap, house to R&B—Face2Face is more than a vibe, it’s a movement.

Their Juneteenth event? A celebration and a statement.

My story:

OKC Secures Long-Term Future With Thunder Through 2053 Oklahoma City just delivered on one of its biggest promises yet — keeping the Thunder home for the long haul. After two years of conversations, planning, and a massive show of public support, Mayor David Holt announced that the Thunder and the City have officially signed a new lease agreement that keeps the team in OKC through at least 2053. The 115-page “arena use license agreement” locks in the Thunder’s commitment to play in the city’s forthcoming downtown arena for the next 25 years, with financial penalties exceeding $1 billion if they leave early.

Story on OKC Securing Long-Term Future With Thunder Through 2053

Cool, Calm and Collected: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Saves OKC’s Season The energy permeated through Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with the Pacers faithful still riding the momentum of Indiana’s Game 3 victory. As usual, all nine Pacers who saw the court echoed that intensity. But with OKC’s backs against the wall, the Most Valuable Player stepped up, lifting his team over the Pacers, 111-103, with late-game heroics.

OKC looked flat. Indy had the juice.

Then the MVP reminded everyone who he is.

SGA’s late takeover and a gritty team effort even the series, 2-2. The Thunder are alive, and headed back home.

My story:

From Ayiti to the NBA Finals: The Rise of Two Haitians from Montreal Somewhere between the rhythm of kompa and the brisk Montreal winters, two kids—born in Canada with Haitian roots—were molding a dream neither could fully explain yet. Now, Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin are making history—not just by playing in the NBA Finals, but by representing something bigger than basketball. Not only are they the first Montreal-born players to share an NBA Finals court, they’re also the first Haitians to do it.

Two sons of Ayiti. One monumental moment.

Lu Dort and Bennedict Mathurin aren’t just hooping—they’re making history for Haiti.

Check out my feature: