The Thunder’s Unstoppable Surge: Who Dares Challenge Their NBA Cup Dominance?

As the NBA in-season tournament inches closer, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the teams battling it out in the upcoming knockouts. On the Eastern front, squads like the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are gearing up, while the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks aren’t far behind. Meanwhile, the Western Conference boasts heavy hitters — OKC Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs — all vying for glory. I sat down with Lucas Burns from NBA In Depth, and we dug deep into who’s got that fiery edge to take home the crown. OKC’s lockdown defense has folks buzzing, but the Lakers, fueled by a desire to avenge a tough loss, might just flip the script. It’s a clash of titans with plenty of intrigue, drama, and sheer talent ready to explode. The road to the NBA Cup promises basketball at its most thrilling — trust me, you won’t want to blink. LEARN MORE

Yahoo Fantasy’s Dan Titus is joined by Lucas Burns of NBA In Depth to decide who they think will win NBA’s in-season tournament.

Video Transcript

All right, so going back to the NBA Cup, man, we have some really good teams in the knockout Round that’s going to begin as early as next Tuesday.

You know, on the East Side, we have Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.

The Toronto Raptors, the New York Knicks, but the West Side, We have the OKC Thunder, the Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Lakers, and the San Antonio Spurs.

So, Lucas, I want to know, Who are you projecting to win the NBA Cup this year?

I think OKC has to be the favorite the whole time.

Obviously, I think they’re 211 now.

Um, the best defense in the league by miles.

Last I checked, It was like a 104 defensive rating.

There’s a bigger gap between them and No.

And between 2 and 17.

So their defense is smothering right now, and I think off the back of their defense alone, They’re going to blow out most of their games in the NBA Cup.

And if there is a close game, they’ve got the best closer in the world.

I think Shay Gil just saw Alexander right now.

It’s so hard to go against the OKC Thunder, man, like, and, You know, they went to the NBA Cup final last year.

Lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.

I saw a report where Lou Dort said, “Oh yeah,” we remember that.

Now, they just went on to win the NBA championship, so I doubt they care as much About the NBA Cup, but I mean, this team is just a buzz, Man, like, what can you do?

Obvious favorite, um, but I’m gonna go, I’m gonna go slightly different.

Still on the West Side, I’m going with the Lakers.

They were beaten by the Thunder by 30 points.

LeBron James didn’t play in the earlier game.

This season.

Um, so I think they’re going to try to get their Lick back a little bit here.

Their first matchups against the Spurs, I think without Wembanyama on the floor, That’s probably going to be a good thing.

They should reach the semifinals.

And if they see the Thunder, man, I think they might have the firepower when healthier Side of things, um, with Isaiah Hartenstein still out for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

So, it could be interesting; we’ll see.

I’m going to take the Lakers.

Lucas is taking the Thunder on tonight.

Either way, we’re going to have fun.

Basketball to watch heading into Week 8.