Trail Blazers vs. Thunder: A History of a Once-Fierce Rivalry

When Do the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers Play Next?

Oklahoma City Thunder tickets and Portland Trail Blazers tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers Rivals?

At one time, these two franchises had one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. But once the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City, the Trail Blazers-Thunder rivalry fizzled out. Previously, the OKC franchise had been in Seattle as the SuperSonics. The I-5 rivalry, named after Interstate 5, the road that connects Portland and Seattle, featured two teams that were only 180 miles apart. The franchises battled for Western Conference supremacy and have been in the same division since 1970. Most Portland fans still consider the OKC/Seattle franchise its biggest rival.

Who are the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Biggest Rivals?

Since relocating in 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t built up enough of a rivalry with another team to have one considered a bitter foe. Thunder fans are likely most mad at Golden State because it signed away its star, Kevin Durant, after many great seasons with the franchise. But the Thunder are undergoing a youth movement at the moment and are having great success, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. They will likely build up rivalries if the success continues.

Who are the Portland Trail Blazers’ Biggest Rivals?

The Trail Blazers have a fierce rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers. Having faced off 12 times in the postseason against one another, it has been one of the most common playoff matchups in league history. Los Angeles has dominated the matchups, winning 10 of the 12 series. The last six series have gone the way of the Lakers, with Portland’s last win coming in 1992. The Blazers have also faced the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz numerous times in the postseason, resulting in rivalries with both teams.

Game Results Between the Trail Blazers & Thunder

Oklahoma City has dominated the Trail Blazers this season, winning on November 19, January 11, and January 23 – two of the games by wide margins. The final contest between the two this season will be on March 6 in Portland.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers History

You can’t discuss the history between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trail Blazers without mainly discussing the I-5 rivalry. The SuperSonics and Trail Blazers were destined to be rivals because of the close proximity of the franchises, and the first meeting between the two came in 1970 with the SuperSonics winning by 30 points. The first playoff matchup in Trail Blazers vs. Thunder (SuperSonics) history came in 1978 when Seattle topped Portland in the Western Conference Semifinals. Seattle won again in 1980 with a first-round victory but Portland got revenge in 1983 in the first round. The final playoff meeting between the SuperSonics and Trail Blazers came in 1991 when Portland edged Seattle in the first round.

The head-to-head meetings between the SuperSonics and Trail Blazers were incredibly close, as Seattle won 106 games and Portland won 102. The franchises met in 2019 in the Western Conference First Round and Portland beat the Thunder in five games.

Where Do the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder Play?

The Portland Trail Blazers play at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. It opened in 1995 and has been the home to numerous franchises.

The Oklahoma City Thunder play at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is also home to the Oklahoma City Blue, the franchise’s G-League team.