The league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder were recently dealt a series of setbacks by the San Antonio Spurs, bringing them back down to earth after an incredible start. They lost three times in a little more than a week to the upstart Spurs, often in embarrassing fashion, making OKC seem much more vulnerable than they initially were seen as being.
However, Oklahoma City and perhaps the NBA have a much bigger problem on their hands. The Thunder, despite being one of the smallest market teams in the NBA, appears to be despised among fans.
Just look at the reaction to OKC on social media sites like X and especially Reddit, and it’s clear that fans of other teams and even casual fans dislike the Thunder and their style of play. That is surprising considering that they have been the most well-run organization in the NBA and did everything right to build a championship team.
The Oklahoma City Thunder is the NBA’s most hated team
Nevertheless, it’s easy to see why fans have rejected their style of play. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has infuriated fans with his foul baiting, which has caused him to get to the free throw line almost at will.
Admittedly, that has turned me off to his game, with me being among the biggest critics of free throws in general. Especially when offensive players actively try to trick referees into getting to the line.
The NBA isn’t a popularity contest, but it does pose a problem to the league if their most dominant team is both a small-market franchise and despised among other fan bases.
It seems as though the Thunder could be on a collision course to the Western Conference Finals, which means they will be playing a lot on national TV come playoff time. While they may be playing bigger market teams that are bigger draws, they could be turning away some viewers as well.
The NBA has the Oklahoma City Thunder problem on their hands
They were the clear favorites in the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers but clearly weren’t the fan favorites. In fact, several moments from the Thunder went viral but for the wrong reason.
Whether it was SGA pushing off and hitting a four-step back jumper to seal a Game 2 win, or Lou Dort grabbing T.J. McConnell’s hand to prevent him from driving past him in front of the refs, these moments went viral for the wrong reasons.
Even now, Dort went viral for seemingly intentionally running into Victor Wembanyama’s leg while he was boxing out.
Spurs fan @JaeeYT is asking the question we’re all thinking: What exactly was OKC’s Lou Dort trying to do to Victor Wembanyama here – and how the hec did @NBA official Tony Brothers choose not see it? pic.twitter.com/Z2kGLMltjv
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) December 26, 2025
That reckless play could have easily ended his season, and NBA fans took notice, with it being R/NBA’s most viewed post in weeks.
The NBA must step in to help the Thunder, sort of
It goes to a bigger point about the Thunder and them seemingly getting favorable calls. They play far and away the most aggressive defense in the NBA, getting away with a lot. That’s not to say they aren’t a great defense, but they don’t get officiated the same way. SGA doesn’t either with him earning trip after trip to the line by tricking the refs.
Look, they aren’t the Bad Boy Pistons level of villains, but they are far from well-liked. Considering that, and them being one of the league’s smallest markets, it makes them even harder to market despite them being the best in the NBA.
The simple fix would be for the NBA to officiate them more evenly, forcing them to adjust. Fewer nonsense foul calls on offense and them having to abide by the same rules on defense would make them more watchable and less hated.
