OKC Thunder Grab Lottery Pick with Warriors' Win over Clippers

The Thunder now own the Clippers' unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which is locked in as a lottery selection.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with players and the court fragmented into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the intensity and drama of the game's conclusion.The Warriors' dramatic victory over the Clippers in the NBA Play-In tournament has secured a valuable lottery pick for the Thunder, offering new hope for their rebuilding efforts.Inglewood Today

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Play-In tournament, securing a spot in the final Play-In game against the Phoenix Suns. This result is beneficial for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they own the Clippers' unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which is now guaranteed to be a lottery selection.

Why it matters

The Thunder's acquisition of the Clippers' 2026 first-round pick as part of the Paul George trade continues to pay dividends, as the pick is now locked in as a lottery selection. This gives the Thunder an opportunity to add a high-potential prospect to their roster as they look to build for the future.

The details

The Warriors rallied late to defeat the Clippers, 120-117, with a go-ahead 3-pointer from Steph Curry in the final minute sealing the victory. The Clippers' loss means their 2026 first-round pick, which is owned by the Thunder, will now be a lottery selection, likely landing in the range of 7-14. This pick could yield a talented prospect like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, or Caleb Wilson, all of whom are expected to be top talents in the 2026 draft.

  • The Warriors and Clippers faced off in Wednesday's NBA Play-In action.
  • The Warriors' victory over the Clippers on April 15, 2026 secured their spot in the final Play-In game against the Phoenix Suns.
  • The Thunder's first-round matchup against the winner of the Warriors-Suns game will tip off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, April 19, 2026 in Oklahoma City.

The players

Stephen Curry

A star guard for the Golden State Warriors who hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute to seal the victory over the Clippers.

Brook Lopez

A veteran center for the Los Angeles Clippers who was defending Curry on the game-deciding shot.

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What’s next

The Thunder will now wait to find out their first-round opponent, which will be determined by the outcome of the Warriors-Suns game on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The Thunder's savvy trade for the Clippers' unprotected 2026 first-round pick continues to pay dividends, as the pick is now locked in as a lottery selection. This gives the Thunder an opportunity to add a high-potential prospect to their roster as they look to build for the future.