WASHINGTON D.C. – The Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning NBA champions, will not visit the White House during their trip to Washington this weekend, despite a long-standing tradition of championship teams being hosted by the U.S. President. The decision, announced Friday, comes as the Thunder prepare to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on Saturday evening.
A team spokesperson cited a scheduling conflict as the reason for declining the invitation, emphasizing that discussions had taken place between the organization and the White House. “We have been in contact with the White House and are grateful for the outreach, but simply place, the timing didn’t work out,” the team said in a statement. The Thunder secured their first NBA championship in June, defeating the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game series.
The decision highlights a growing trend of professional sports teams navigating the political landscape surrounding White House visits. The tradition of honoring championship teams dates back to 1963, when the Boston Celtics were invited by President John F. Kennedy following their title win. More recently, the Boston Celtics were hosted by former President Joe Biden in November 2024 after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Although, the practice has become increasingly fraught with political sensitivity, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump. In 2017, the Golden State Warriors declined an invitation to the White House, prompting Trump to state on social media that the invitation had been withdrawn. The Warriors also weren’t invited after their 2018 championship but did visit Washington to celebrate their 2022 title under President Biden.
Other teams have also declined or had invitations rescinded during that period, including the University of North Carolina basketball team in 2017 and the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL in 2018. Conversely, the University of Georgia Bulldogs declined an invitation from President Biden in 2023.
This isn’t the first time a recent champion has had a nuanced relationship with a White House invitation. Following their gold medal performance at the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the U.S. Men’s hockey team accepted an invitation from President Trump to attend the State of the Union address and were received in the Oval Office. The U.S. Women’s hockey team, also gold medalists, declined the invitation due to scheduling conflicts related to university and professional commitments. Trump subsequently faced criticism for stating during a video call with the men’s team that he would “probably be impeached” if he didn’t invite the women’s team as well.
The Thunder, currently holding the top spot in the Western Conference with an impressive 55-15 record as of March 21, 2026, are led by star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They are well-positioned to contend for another championship. It’s worth noting that in 2022, prior to winning the title, the Thunder were welcomed to the White House by President Biden for a discussion on public policy and a screening of a documentary about the team’s after-school program in Tulsa.
The team’s current focus remains firmly on the court. The Thunder are riding a 10-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Wizards. For fans following the NBA, understanding the context of these White House visits – and declinations – provides a glimpse into the intersection of sports and politics, a dynamic that continues to evolve.
Following Saturday’s game in Washington, the Thunder will travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have posted a 13-1 record since February 20th, demonstrating their dominance as the playoffs approach.
The decision by the Thunder to forgo the White House visit, while framed as a scheduling issue, underscores the complexities teams face when navigating invitations that carry political weight. It’s a situation that’s likely to continue as long as the tradition persists, and as athletes and teams increasingly feel empowered to make choices aligned with their values and priorities.
Next up for the Oklahoma City Thunder is their game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, March 23rd. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST. Fans can catch the game on NBA League Pass or local broadcast channels.
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