OKC Thunder secures Western Conference No. 1 seed in NBA Playoffs with rout of Clippers
INGLEWOOD, CA — OKC's top players weren't playing much during this time last season.
The Thunder had already locked up the top seed in the Western Conference by then. In fact, it had done so on March 20, 2025, with 13 regular-season games still left on its schedule.
OKC's journey to the top of the West was much longer this time around, though, and it came with more obstacles. More teams testing the chin of the reigning champs with their best punch. More physical injuries that tested its mental strength.
But that journey still led to the same destination. OKC secured a 128-110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Intuit Dome, clinching the West's top seed for the third straight season in the process.
The Thunder (64-16) has two games left on its regular-season schedule. It'll face Denver on the road at 8 p.m. CT Friday before hosting Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The NBA Playoffs tip off Saturday, April 18, but OKC would likely open April 19 as it awaits the No. 8 seed out of the play-in tournament.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found joy in finding his teammates
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't often get fired up.
The cool-headed superstar saves that for signature moments such as his game-sealing 3-pointer during a home win over the New York Knicks on March 29. Only then did he flex his muscles and break his silence, hollering at anybody who'd listen.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a similar reaction to a play on Wednesday. But it wasn't one of his own buckets, and it wasn't at the end of the game either. He was fired up after dishing the ball to Lu Dort, who drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing late in the second quarter.
That summarized the mindset of Gilgeous-Alexander, who found joy in finding his teammates for buckets throughout the night. He recorded 11 assists to go along with his 20 points in 30 minutes.
Chet Holmgren's dominance wasn't debatable
There was no debating who the most dominant player on the floor was.
Chet Holmgren rested his case by dropping the hammer late in the second quarter.
That capped off an impressive sequence by the 7-foot-1 phenom, who intercepted a pass intended for John Collins underneath his own rim. Holmgren then launched the fastbreak by giving the ball to Gilgeous-Alexander, who later gave it right back to him.
And none of Los Angeles' defenders dared to stand in Holmgren's way, as he elevated for an emphatic one-handed slam. One that didn't shatter the backboard but shattered the spirits of The Wall, a crowd of the most crazed Clippers fans.
Holmgren continued to deliver demoralizing plays as the game unfolded, and he did so on both ends of the floor. He racked up 30 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in 31 minutes while going 10 for 13 from the field (3 for 4 from deep).
OKC's starting five is in sync entering the playoffs
The sequence was chaotic at first glance.
It all started with a missed 3-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander early in the third quarter. Dort tried to snag the offensive board but could only tap the ball as he fell to the floor, sending it on its way out of bounds.
But Holmgren chased it down and saved it to Dort, who was still seated. He then zipped a pass to Isaiah Hartenstein, who delivered an over-the-shoulder dime to a cutting Jalen Williams for the layup.
It was a chaotic play to the untrained eye, but those who gave it a closer look could see the synchrony. The growing chemistry of a starting five that entered Wednesday with just 101 shared minutes of game time all season.
OKC's starting lineup shined all night in the blowout victory. And with the playoffs approaching, it's a sight to behold.
Tip-ins
∎ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 140 straight games. It's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery).
∎ Los Angeles was without Bradley Beal (left hip fracture), Darius Garland (left toe injury management), Isaiah Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament tear).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder at Nuggets
TIPOFF: 8 p.m. CT Friday at Ball Arena in Denver (FanDuel Sports Network)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder routs LA Clippers to clinch top seed in Western Conference
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