OKC Thunder to be Featured in Immersive Experience on Friday Night Against Heat

In a marquee matchup between Miami and Oklahoma City on Friday night, a unique experience will be available for NBA fans.
Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets in a semifinal of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images / Candice Ward-Imagn Images
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have gotten off to a phenomenal start in the 2024-25 season, boasting a record of 21-5 to this point. Despite facing significant injuries to several key players along the way, OKC has proven to be one of the best teams in the entire league.

Even then, the Thunder doesn't have the national broadcast exposure that the other larger market teams do. Regardless, Oklahoma City has become a must-watch teams that fans around the world enjoy seeing play.

While traditionally the best way to see an NBA team live has been to go to games live, the vast majority of fans don't have courtside access to see their favorite players up close. Furthermore, with the way the game has gone global, there are many fans who live far from their favorite team's market, making it difficult to watch their squad live.

Luckily for fans in the modern era, technology continues to change the way that the NBA can be consumed. In fact, the world of VR has opened the door to unprecedented access and scenery.

Xtadium is a market leader in the VR space when it comes to sports, with an opportunity for NBA fans to catch their team through 52 immersive games this season, offering a 180-degree courtside view of their favorite players in a free, unparalleled viewing experience. NBA League Pass subscribers can bring the action into mixed reality, watching up to eight games simultaneously in true sports bar style. Meta Quest delivers fans access to virtual courtside seats via their continued partnership with the NBA.

On Friday, Dec. 20, the featured game on Xtadium is the Thunder in Miami against the Heat at Kaseya Center at 7:00 p.m. CT.

This premier matchup on Friday night between two teams with championship aspirations is a unique opportunity for Thunder and Heat fans. This is especially true for those who follow Oklahoma City, given this is a small market that doesn't generally earn the opportunity to be featured in unique experiences like this. As such, it's new opportunity for fans to catch the game in a completely new way.

Following this contest, the Thunder will head back home for a game against the Washington Wizards on Monday night.


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Nick Crain
NICK CRAIN

Nick has spent the last four seasons covering the Oklahoma City Thunder and has grown quickly in the media since starting. He’s continued to produce Thunder content through writing for Forbes.com and podcasting with The Uncontested Podcast, as well as branching out to cover the NBA as a whole for SLAM Online.