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The 2025 reigning NBA champions will not make the traditional visit to the White House due to a timing issue.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to play the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, but a team spokesman said that despite talks with the White House, the team will not be celebrating 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. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Photos)
“We’ve been in contact with the White House and we’re grateful and appreciative of the communication we’ve had, but the timing just didn’t work,” the team said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.
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It was not immediately clear if a formal invitation had been sent to the team. Pakinomist Digital has reached out to the White House for confirmation.
The White House has a long tradition of welcoming championship teams to celebrate their accomplishments. On Friday, President Donald Trump invited the Navy midshipmen after a historic season that culminated in winning the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
President Donald Trump holds up a helmet as he speaks during the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to 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 DECLINE SOTU INVITATION
Teams have previously turned down a visit to the White House. The most notable instance was in 2017, when the Golden State Warriors had their invitation withdrawn by Trump after Stephen Curry and other players indicated they were not interested in visiting.
Trump recently invited the U.S. men’s hockey team to the White House and the State of the Union after their gold medal win over Canada at the 2026 Cortina Olympics in Milan. The women’s team was also invited amid controversy over an altercation 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 Game 7 victory 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 to our gold medal-winning USA Hockey team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary performance,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments after the Games, the athletes are unable to participate.”
