Clippers’ collapse in Play-In Tournament delivers Thunder a lottery gift

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — As the final horn sounded inside Intuit Dome on Wednesday night, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors spilled onto the court, celebrating a wild, come-from-behind win in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.

The home crowd was stunned. The LA Clippers were shocked. And along press row, a group of scouts watching it all unfold was also upset.

“F—!” one shouted. “OKC gets another lottery pick.”

In the immediate aftermath of the 126-121 Warriors victory, the ripple effects stretched well beyond those in attendance. The Clippers’ elimination means the 2026 first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City will enter the lottery. Slotted at No. 12, the pick carries a 7.1 percent chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5 percent chance of becoming the No. 1 pick.

The 2026 pick is the final asset headed to Oklahoma City from the 2019 blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to L.A. The deal also delivered future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a haul of picks and draft-pick swaps and Danilo Gallinari to the Thunder.

The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets — the league’s three worst teams — each hold a 14 percent chance at the top pick. The Clippers could receive the Pacers’ first-round pick if it falls between Nos. 5 and 9 as part of the Ivica Zubac trade at the trade deadline.