March 20, 2026, 7:06 p.m. CT
On their annual trip to Washington, D.C., the Oklahoma City Thunder will not continue a longstanding tradition. The reigning NBA champions told ‘The Athletic’ on Friday that they will not visit the White House.
The Thunder told the outlet that bad timing logistics prevented them from visiting President Donald Trump and the White House. As early as the Boston Celtics’ trip in 1963, the reigning NBA champions have usually made the trip in the ensuing season as part of a tradition.
The Thunder told ‘The Athletic’ the following statement: “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.”
On a season-long five-game road trip, the Thunder last suited up on Wednesday in a 121-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Since then, they’re on a two-day break before they face the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
No NBA champion has visited the White House during Trump’s presidency. The 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors didn’t go. Their invitations were eventually pulled in both years. The 2019 Toronto Raptors instead visited Canada’s Prime Minister. The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t make the trip due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The 2025 Thunder are the first NBA champions under Trump’s second presidency. The 2024 Celtics made the White House trip under President Joe Biden.
The Thunder brought home the Larry O’Brien trophy last June. They went 68-14 in the regular season. They beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 to accomplish the feat.