Clippers' collapse in Play-In Tournament delivers Thunder a lottery gift

The Clippers' elimination means the 2026 first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City will enter the lottery.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:09am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with sharp overlapping planes in the team colors of the Clippers and Thunder, conveying the high-stakes drama and long-term implications of the Clippers' loss.The Clippers' elimination from the NBA playoffs delivers a valuable lottery pick to the rebuilding Thunder, a key asset from a blockbuster 2019 trade.Inglewood Today

The Clippers lost to the Warriors in the NBA's Play-In Tournament, resulting in the 2026 first-round pick owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder entering the lottery. The pick carries a 7.1% chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5% chance to become the No. 1 overall selection.

Why it matters

The 2026 first-round pick is the final asset headed to the Thunder from the 2019 blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to the Clippers. The deal also delivered future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a haul of picks and swaps, and Danilo Gallinari to Oklahoma City, making this lottery pick particularly valuable for the rebuilding Thunder.

The details

In the immediate aftermath of the Warriors' 126-121 victory over the Clippers, the ripple effects stretched well beyond those in attendance. The Clippers' elimination means the 2026 first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City will enter the lottery, slotted at No. 12 with a 7.1% chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5% chance to become the No. 1 overall selection.

  • The Clippers lost to the Warriors in the NBA's Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night.

The players

Stephen Curry

A star player for the Golden State Warriors who celebrated the team's come-from-behind win.

Paul George

A former Clippers player who was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 2019 blockbuster deal.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A future MVP who was acquired by the Thunder in the 2019 trade with the Clippers.

Danilo Gallinari

A player who was also part of the 2019 trade between the Clippers and Thunder.

Ivica Zubac

A Clippers player who was traded at the deadline, with the team potentially receiving the Pacers' first-round pick as part of that deal.

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What’s next

The 2026 first-round pick owed to the Thunder will enter the NBA Draft lottery, where Oklahoma City has a 7.1% chance of landing a top-four selection and a 1.5% chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick.

The takeaway

The Clippers' loss to the Warriors in the Play-In Tournament has significant long-term implications, as it means the Thunder will receive a valuable lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as part of the blockbuster 2019 trade that sent Paul George to Los Angeles. This pick could be a crucial asset for the rebuilding Thunder as they look to build around rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.