The Oklahoma City Thunder look like an unstoppable force right now. After capturing the NBA title last season and storming through the start of the 2025-26 campaign, they have the entire basketball world whispering the word “dynasty.”
Well, almost everyone. One Celtics legend isn’t ready to crown them just yet, pointing to a familiar foe in the Eastern Conference as the ultimate roadblock.
Can Boston Really Block the Thunder’s Five-Year Run Like Paul Pierce Claims?
Paul Pierce has never been shy about his loyalty to the Boston Celtics. Even with the Thunder on a historic pace following their championship run, the former Finals MVP believes his old squad is the only franchise capable of checking OKC’s dominance. Most fans know better than to bet against a defending champ, especially given how rare repeats have become since the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors.
That hasn’t stopped Pierce from speaking his mind. While the rest of the league sees a juggernaut in Oklahoma City, “The Truth” sees a matchup problem waiting to happen. He didn’t hold back when explaining why Boston is the only true threat to the league’s newest power.
The Celtics icon made his stance clear regarding the league’s hierarchy. His confidence remains unshaken despite the Thunder’s impressive start.
“The Boston Celtics are the only team in the NBA that stands in front of an OKC dynasty. Not this year but generally speaking for the next 5 years. They way we’re built. Jayson Tatum, our young duo…We good.”
Paul Pierce says the Celtics are the ONLY team stopping an OKC dynasty
“The Boston Celtics are the only team in the NBA that stands in front of an OKC dynasty. Not this year but generally speaking for the next 5 years”
(Via @NFGShow, h/t @NBA__Courtside)pic.twitter.com/Q2eESp3XMZ
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) December 8, 2025
Not everyone agrees with Pierce’s assessment. Former champion Danny Green challenged the take, noting that the Celtics lack the size necessary to handle OKC’s frontcourt of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. It’s a valid concern given the length the Thunder can put on the floor.
Pierce had a quick counter for that argument. He claimed that despite their height, the Thunder’s big men lack a genuine post presence to punish smaller defenders. It’s a bold claim, but one that Pierce feels negates the size advantage Green pointed out.
The Celtics have managed to stay competitive even without their best player. Sitting third in the East while Jayson Tatum remains out of the lineup shows the team’s floor is incredibly high. Their ability to maintain a top spot in the conference standings speaks volumes about the roster’s depth.
Of course, questions remain about how Tatum will look when he returns to the court. Re-integrating a star into the offense is never guaranteed to be smooth. But if Pierce is right, a healthy Boston squad is the only thing standing between the Thunder and a five-year run of dominance.