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Oklahoma City Thunder Secure No. 1 Seed in Western Conference
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his talent by scoring 15 points in just one half of play as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Dallas Mavericks with a resounding 135-86 victory on Sunday. This win solidified the Thunder’s position as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Oklahoma City concluded the regular season with an impressive 57-25 record, tying with the Denver Nuggets but ultimately clinching the top spot due to possessing the tiebreaker advantage. This marks the first time since the 2012-13 season that the Thunder have finished as the top seed.
Key Players Step Up
Aaron Wiggins contributed 14 points while Chet Holmgren tallied 13 points and nine rebounds, aiding the Thunder in securing their fifth consecutive victory to close out the regular season. Despite entering the final day in a three-way tie with the Nuggets and Timberwolves for the best record in the conference, the Thunder’s stellar play propelled them to the top spot.
Notable absences from the Mavericks, including NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic and star guard Kyrie Irving, allowed the Thunder to capitalize on their opportunities. With Doncic nursing a sore left ankle and Irving dealing with a hamstring issue, the Mavericks rested key players as they had already secured the No. 5 seed and a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dominant Performance
The Thunder wasted no time asserting their dominance, storming out to an 11-0 lead as the Mavericks struggled to find their rhythm. Oklahoma City built a commanding 39-22 lead by the end of the first period and continued their offensive onslaught to enter halftime with an impressive 82-41 advantage.
Shooting an impressive 60.4% from the field in the first half, the Thunder narrowly missed setting a franchise record for points in a half. With a comfortable lead, key players like Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren were able to rest in the second half.
The Thunder crossed the 100-point mark with over three minutes remaining in the third quarter and closed out the game with a decisive 108-57 lead at the end of the period.
What’s Next
The Mavericks are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series, while the Thunder will await the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament to determine their first-round opponent.
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