Thunder clinch playoffs
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the first NBA team to clinch a 2026 playoff berth, paced by Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander — he’s averaging 31.6 points per game and poured in 40 points on 14‑of‑27 shooting in the clinching win. The Thunder are now the team to watch as the regular season winds toward a packed playoff picture. (sports.yahoo.com)
The win that secured Oklahoma City’s postseason berth came March 17 in a 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic. (nba.com) Chet Holmgren finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds in that game. (clutchpoints.com) The victory pushed the Thunder to 54-15 on the season and extended their active winning streak to nine games. (sports.yahoo.com) Gilgeous‑Alexander’s box score for the matchup included five rebounds, four steals and 9-of-11 free throws over 36 minutes. (nba.com) He also extended his consecutive games with 20 or more points to 128 straight contests. (espn.com) Second‑year wing Jalen Williams has played just 26 games this season because of a lingering hamstring issue, a variable the Thunder have managed through the stretch run. (sports.yahoo.com) Oklahoma City enters the postseason as the defending NBA champions and still has time to fine‑tune seeding before the play‑in tournament begins April 14 and the playoffs open April 18. (sports.yahoo.com (espn.com))
