NBA champion Thunder will not visit White House, citing timing issue

The current 2025 NBA champions will not make the traditional visit to the White House due to a matter of time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, but a team spokesperson said that despite talks with the White House, the team will not celebrate with the president.

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 13, 2025. (Images by Kyle Terada-Imagn)

“We have been in contact with the White House and are grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing simply did not work out,” the team said in a statement obtained by The News.

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It was not immediately clear if a formal invitation had been extended to the team. News Digital has reached out to the White House for confirmation.

The White House has a long tradition of welcoming championship teams to celebrate their achievements. On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the Navy Midshipmen following a historic season that culminated in them winning the Commander in Chief’s Trophy.

President Donald Trump holds a helmet as he speaks during the presentation of the Commander in Chief Trophy with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

TRUMP SAYS US WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM WILL ‘SOON’ VISIT WHITE HOUSE AFTER REJECTING SOTU’S INVITATION

Teams have turned down a visit to the White House in the past. The most notable case was in 2017, when Trump disinvited the Golden State Warriors after Stephen Curry and other players indicated they were not interested in visiting them.

Trump recently invited the United States men’s ice hockey team to the White House and State of the Union following their gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. The women’s team was also invited amid controversy over a joke the president made during a call with the men’s team.

The women’s team declined Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union, citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy as he celebrates with his team after they won the NBA basketball championship with a victory in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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“We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning US women’s hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “Due to the calendar and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, athletes are not able to participate.”

The News contributed to this report.

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