Tuesday’s 2025-26 Opening Night will see the entire NBA world focus on the Oklahoma City Thunder. At this point, they should be used to it. The special night will be the culmination of nearly two decades’ worth of work.
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren receive their championship rings under the spotlight, Serge Ibaka will watch from a distance in the background. The two-time block champion will have a smile across his face.
Ibaka will be in OKC for a couple of days. He was at the Thunder’s final practice before Opening Night. He will also be at Paycom Center when they drop their championship banner and hand out rings. Also in the building are Kevin Durant, Steven Adams and Jeff Green — all pillars from the previous generation of OKC contenders.
While that trio will be too busy with the Houston Rockets to celebrate their part of the Thunder’s championship journey, Ibaka will fully embrace it. He spent the first seven seasons of his career in OKC, where he developed into one of the best shot-blockers.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talked about Ibaka’s presence. They pointed out his contributions to the franchise that has remained a title contender for most of its time since the Thunder joined the NBA in 2008.
“He’s obviously had a lot of success here. Had a great career here,” Daigneault said. “It was great to introduce him to the guys for those who didn’t know him. He was an unbelievably impactful player that was a great story.”
Looking at Sam Presti’s generational draft resume, Ibaka has to be one of the more underrated selection. He was the No. 24 pick of the 2008 NBA draft. The long-term project eventually became a high-end starter for the 2010s Thunder that had deep playoff run after deep playoff run.
“Super cool. He was part of the Thunder team that built the foundation here. Watched many of his games as a kid growing up,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Tremendous basketball player. Not one of the budding stars or household names. He’s a guy that affected winning at a very high level.”
After the Thunder traded Ibaka, he eventually landed on the Toronto Raptors. That’s where he won his sole NBA ring as an important rotation player who complimented Kawhi Leonard in his sole season there.
“He’s really good basketball,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “A lot of people might not know him unless you’re a junkie but we really respect him highly here.”
