LOS ANGELES –
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one win away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the third straight season as they face the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Oklahoma City enters the matchup at 63-16 and red-hot, winning 18 of its last 19 games, including a dominant 123-87 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The Thunder also made history in the process, becoming the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive games by 35 or more points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way Tuesday with 25 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren added 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder bench also played a major role, with Isaiah Joe scoring 18 points on six three-pointers and Jared McCain adding 15 points.
McCain credited the team’s maturity and chemistry for Oklahoma City’s dominant stretch.
“I feel like that’s the thing about this team… no matter who’s out there, we’re very mature,” McCain said. “It’s always about us. It’s never about who we’re playing… we’re trying to focus on ourselves and execute our stuff.”
McCain also praised the Thunder’s ability to play freely within head coach Mark Daigneault’s system.
“Being able to just have that flow out there… it just feels right when I’m out there with them,” McCain said. “When we’re able to just play free like that, I think it really helps with the chemistry.”
McCain added that much of that chemistry is built off the court through team dinners, road trips, and time spent together.
“I think the chemistry just comes from hanging out… being friends off the court builds it and it shows up on the court,” McCain said.
No. 1 seed
The Thunder can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and the best overall record in the NBA with either a win over the Clippers or a loss by the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the opportunity, Holmgren emphasized the team’s focus remains on improvement rather than standings.
“Seeding doesn’t matter until all 82 games are up,” Holmgren said. “We can’t focus on that and lose sight of improvement.”
Clippers fighting for playoff positioning
The Clippers enter Wednesday’s matchup at 41-38 and battling for play-in positioning in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles earned a 116-103 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday behind 34 points from Kawhi Leonard and 22 points from Darius Garland.
The Clippers have gone 35-20 since Dec. 18 after head coach Tyronn Lue challenged the team following a slow start.
Los Angeles is currently battling the Portland Trail Blazers for positioning in the play-in tournament, making Wednesday’s matchup critical for both teams.
Where/How to Watch
Wednesday, April 8
9:00 p.m. CT Intuit Dome Inglewood, California
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
A win would officially secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for Oklahoma City for the third consecutive season.
Thunder are now one win or a Spurs loss from the one seed being officially clinched for the third straight year
Teams to get the 1 seed three years in a row:
1980-82 Celtics
1984-88 Celtics
1982-90 Lakers
1996-98 Bulls
2008-10 Lakers
2015-17 Warriors
Insane historic company pic.twitter.com/IXDDDYJvWU
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) April 8, 2026