March 17, 2026Updated March 18, 2026, 12:23 a.m. ET
The first domino in the 2026 NBA Playoffs has fallen.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the team with the best record in the NBA, became the first squad to clinch a postseason berth Tuesday, March 17 with its 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic. This marks Oklahoma City’s third consecutive trip to the postseason.
The reigning NBA champions, the Thunder have led the Western Conference wire-to-wire since the start of the season and now sit atop the standings with a 54-15 record, which is 3 games ahead of the challenging San Antonio Spurs.
Next up, over the next few days, Oklahoma City can clinch the Northwest Division, since it has built a sizable lead over the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, its rivals in the division. It would mark the third consecutive division title for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City, however, has its sight on bigger prizes, as the Thunder have the chance to become the first team to repeat as NBA champions since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2018.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried Oklahoma City this season in the face of several injuries to its other key stars. Forward Jalen Williams, a first-time All-Star last season, has played just 26 of a possible 69 games and continues to be sidelined by a right hamstring strain. Gilgeous-Alexander is once again the odds-on favorite to win MVP and ranks second in the NBA in scoring, entering Tuesday night averaging 31.6 points per game.
In the team’s playoff-clinching game against the Magic, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points on 14-of-27 shooting and added two assists with five rebounds.