Thunder clinch first playoff spot
Oklahoma City became the first NBA team to clinch a 2026 playoff berth after Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander poured in a 40‑point game against the Magic — a statement that cements SGA as the league’s MVP frontrunner. The clinch puts the Thunder in position to chase back‑to‑back deep postseason runs. (sports.yahoo.com)
Oklahoma City beat Orlando 113-108 on March 17, 2026, in the game that completed their five-game road trip opener. (usatoday.com)) The win pushed the Thunder to 54–15 on the season and extended their winning streak to nine games. (clutchpoints.com)) Center Chet Holmgren finished the night with 20 points and 12 rebounds. (clutchpoints.com)) Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s run of consecutive 20‑plus point games reached 129, a stretch that the coverage notes surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s 126‑game mark. (clutchpoints.com)) ESPN’s postseason tracker, however, records Oklahoma City as having clinched a postseason spot earlier — on March 1 after a win over Dallas — creating differing timelines in media accounts of when the Thunder’s berth was formally secured. (espn.com)) The team is set to face the Brooklyn Nets on March 18 as part of a four‑game Eastern Conference road swing, an opportunity to widen their lead atop the Western Conference before the playoffs. (ktok.iheart.com))
