Right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder are understandably frontrunners to be named NBA champions at the end of this season.
However, competition for the title won’t be easy, and numerous teams will be in the conversation.
Additionally, several dark horse candidates could mix things up, surprise everyone, and go all the way to the Finals.
Writing on X, Jake Weinbach listed the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Dallas Mavericks as the biggest dark horse teams that could compete for a championship.
“I’m high on the play-style, talent synergy, and ceiling of these teams if they can sustain full health heading into the postseason,” Weinbach wrote.
There are three “dark horse” teams that I believe could reach the NBA Finals this season:
Hawks
Bucks
Mavericks
I’m high on the play-style, talent synergy, and ceiling of these teams if they can sustain full health heading into the postseason.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) October 21, 2025
The Hawks, Bucks, and Mavericks were very busy during the offseason, which is why Weinbach and others are keeping a close eye on them.
The Hawks were one of the most active teams with smart and strategic trades, and they have brought a lot of help to the team, giving Trae Young perhaps his best chance yet at reaching the Finals.
The Bucks should never be counted out because they still have Giannis Antetokounmpo, at least for now
With the addition of Myles Turner, the team is strong and has something to prove.
Finally, the Mavericks have Cooper Flagg, one of the most exciting rookies in years.
Plus, their roster has been slowly getting better recently, and there is a chance that Kyrie Irving returns from his injury around the All-Star break.
Injuries and bad luck will always be a concern for these squads, but they are going to earn a lot of attention over the next few months.
Teams like the Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets will still be the odds-on favorites to win it all, but these three franchises might be on the verge of hugely successful seasons.
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