The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a dominant 135-86 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder, who finished with a 57-25 record, tied with the Denver Nuggets but secured the top spot due to the tiebreaker. This marks the first time since the 2012-13 season that the Thunder have finished as the top seed in the conference.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15 points in just one half of action, the Thunder showcased their strength and depth as they closed out the regular season with a five-game winning streak. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s focus on daily improvement and emphasized the importance of staying the course as they head into the playoffs.
Despite their youth, the Thunder have proven themselves as a formidable force in the league, with players like Aaron Wiggins and Chet Holmgren stepping up to contribute to the team’s success. The Thunder’s high-scoring first half, where they shot over 60% from the field, set the tone for the game and highlighted their offensive prowess.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Thunder are eager to continue their winning ways and make a deep postseason run. As they await the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament to learn their first-round opponent, the Thunder are focused on maintaining their momentum and making the most of their opportunity as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.