With less than a week until the 2025-26 regular season comes to a close, the playoff picture is finally coming together.
In the Western Conference, the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (63-16) can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, or a San Antonio Spurs loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
A win or Spurs loss would also mean the Thunder finish with the league’s best overall record for a second consecutive season. It’s the first time in franchise history that OKC has finished with back-to-back 60-plus-win seasons, and they’re just the second team to do it — joining the Boston Celtics — since the Golden State Warriors did it between 2015-17.
Leading that charge has undoubtedly been reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s powered the Thunder to six consecutive wins entering Wednesday. The Hamilton, Ont. native is averaging 31.3 points (second in the NBA), 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.4 steals through 67 games.
Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded a 14-1 March for Oklahoma City that gained them just enough separation from the Spurs, who are now three games back, setting up Wednesday night’s clinching scenario.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks aim to lock in a playoff spot out East with a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
A victory over the Cavs on Wednesday would mean they could fall no lower than sixth and not only secure the Hawks’ first playoff appearance since 2023 — avoiding the logjam just below in the standings — but also clinch the Southeast Division title, which could come into play for tie-breaker scenarios.
Atlanta surged to the fifth seed and out of the Play-In mix thanks to a 13-2 March, and now sits one game clear of the Toronto Raptors in sixth.
Seeds five through nine in the East are separated by just 2.5 games, with each holding a mathematical path to end up as high as fifth or as low as ninth in the coming days.
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