Thunder clinch first spot
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the NBA’s first team to clinch a playoff berth with a 113–108 win over the Orlando Magic on March 17, securing their third straight postseason appearance. ( )
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 40 points on 14-of-27 shooting (3-of-5 3PT, 9-of-11 FT) and reached his NBA-record 129th straight game with 20 or more points; his streak of 20-plus point road games hit 61. (ESPN: ) Chet Holmgren finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds while reserve Ajay Mitchell scored 16 — five of those during a decisive mid-fourth-quarter run — and Orlando’s Paolo Banchero posted 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. (ESPN: ) The win extended Oklahoma City’s streak to 10 games and moved the club to a 54–15 record, the best mark in the league at the time. (ESPN: ) (NBA.com/Thunder: ) Oklahoma City opened the second quarter on a 19–5 spurt — its largest lead of the night at 45–27 — and the team finished the game with 53 rebounds. (ESPN: ) (LandOfBasketball box score: ) The victory came as the Thunder were beginning a five-game road trip; their next scheduled opponent was the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. (SI: ) (ESPN game recap: )
