The Oklahoma City Thunder had the night off on Thursday as they prepare to face off against the Charlotte Hornets at home of Friday night.
While the Thunder did have Thursday night off, they were watching one game in particular very closely on Thursday night as it had a massive impact on their seeding for the upcoming NBA playoffs.
Oklahoma City needed the Los Angeles Lakers to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference, and that is exactly what they were able to do.
Los Angeles rested most of their starters, including Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, in Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee and the game went as expected as the Bucks grabbed an easy 118-89 victory behind 28 points and seven rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
After the Lakers' loss, the Thunder posted on social media that they had officially clinched the top seed in the Western Conference.
"For the second straight year, the Thunder clinches the top playoff seed in the Western Conference," Oklahoma City posted on X.
For the second straight year, the Thunder clinches the top playoff seed in the Western Conference
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 21, 2025
Of course, this is the second consecutive season that the Thunder had secured the top seed in the West heading into the playoffs and they are clearly the team to beat in the West this season.
Oklahoma City also became the second youngest number one seed in NBA history, behind only last season's Thunder team.
This season, the Thunder have dominated their way to the top seed as they currently hold a 57-12 record, which is the best in the NBA.
The Thunder have also clinched the top seed in the West before any other West team has even clinched a playoff spot as they have a 12 and a half game advantage over the second place Houston Rockets.
Of course, MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the way for the Thunder this season and Oklahoma City can now focus on getting their roster healthy through the rest of the season before they start their potential championship run.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM.