Thunder Raise First Championship Banner, Unveil Rings In Electric Season Opener

The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their 2025-26 NBA season Tuesday night in front of a packed Paycom Center, celebrating their first NBA championship in franchise history. They unveiled their banner and had a ring ceremony before facing the Houston Rockets.

Players, coaches and fans watched as the 2025 championship banner rose to the rafters, marking the culmination of a historic 68-14 season that ended with the Thunder hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy last June.

The Thunder also revealed their custom-made championship rings, designed by The Champions Collective, featuring intricate details that pay tribute to both the team’s success and Oklahoma’s heritage.

Each ring features a removable inner band engraved with the player’s jersey number and signature. The top opens to reveal an image of the team celebrating their championship win. One side showcases the team’s record and player number, surrounded by lightning bolts — a nod to the Thunder’s name — and the other displays the year 2025 alongside the team’s logo.

The design also incorporates a local tribute: the outer palm side of the ring honors the Gates of Time and Reflecting Pool at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Inside the ring, the Latin phrase “Labor Omnia Vincit,” meaning “Work conquers all” and serving as Oklahoma’s state motto, is engraved.

Fans cheered as team captain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accepted his ring to a standing ovation, which symbolized a new era for the franchise that began its rebuild just a few seasons ago. As the banner settled above the court, the celebration turned to the future, with the Thunder looking to defend their title and prove that last season was only the beginning.

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Article by Ed Middlecoff