Thunder Secure Top Spot in NBA Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder dominate the regular season, holding off late-season surge from San Antonio Spurs

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:09am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Thunder's dominant regular season performance sets the stage for a thrilling postseason battle in the Western Conference.Oklahoma City Today

The Oklahoma City Thunder have once again secured the top seed in the NBA Western Conference, cementing their home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Their impressive performance, led by the standout play of Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has held off a late-season surge from the veteran San Antonio Spurs squad.

Why it matters

The Thunder's ability to maintain their dominance in the West is a testament to their coaching staff and organizational culture. The rivalry between the Thunder and Spurs is shaping up to be one of the most compelling storylines heading into the postseason, as both teams look to make deep playoff runs.

The details

Chet Holmgren's 30-point, 14-rebound performance and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's streak of 140 consecutive games with 20 or more points have been crucial to the Thunder's success. Meanwhile, the playoff picture remains a jumbled mess for teams fighting for the final play-in spots, with the Los Angeles Clippers in a precarious position and the Denver Nuggets riding a 10-game winning streak.

  • The Thunder have secured the top seed in the Western Conference for the 2026 NBA playoffs.

The players

Chet Holmgren

The Thunder's star rookie, who has emerged as a bona fide star with his dominant performances.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's primary ball-handler, who has maintained an impressive streak of 20-point games, showcasing his consistent offensive firepower.

San Antonio Spurs

The veteran contender in the Western Conference, who have made a late-season surge to challenge the Thunder for the top spot.

Los Angeles Clippers

A team fighting for a play-in spot, whose precarious position highlights the high stakes of the final playoff spots.

Denver Nuggets

A team riding a 10-game winning streak, positioning themselves well for a deep playoff run.

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What’s next

The Thunder will look to maintain their momentum and home-court advantage as they prepare for the playoffs, while the Spurs and other teams jockeying for position will continue to battle for the remaining postseason spots.

The takeaway

The Thunder's dominance in the Western Conference is a testament to their organizational culture and the development of their young stars. The rivalry between the Thunder and Spurs, as well as the tight race for the final playoff spots, will make for a captivating postseason.