Thunder clinch top seed in Western Conference

The Thunder have secured the top seed in the Western Conference entering this year’s playoffs, reports Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma City clinched the West’s No. 1 seed when the Lakers lost to the Bucks on Thursday evening.

It’s the second straight season the Thunder have been the top seed in the West. Unlike 2023-24, when their playoff seeding was still up in the air until the very last game of the season, they have clinched the No. 1 seed in ’24-25 with 13 regular season games remaining.

The Thunder finished ’23-24 with a 57-25 record. Oklahoma City, which holds a one-game lead on Cleveland for the best record in the NBA, has already matched that win total in ’24-25, currently holding a 57-12 record.

Houston could theoretically tie Oklahoma City at 57 wins if the Rockets win their remaining 12 games and the Thunder lose all 13 of theirs. But even if that happens — and there’s essentially no chance it will — the Thunder will remain the top seed due to a head-to-head tiebreaker (OKC went 3-1 vs. Houston this season).

Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder have the NBA’s fourth-best offense and the top defensive rating in the league by a wide margin. Their net rating differential of 12.6 points per 100 possessions is one of the best marks in league history.