Thunder claim deep playoff dream by advancing to 2026 finals!
The Thunder are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back NBA championships since the Warriors.
The Oklahoma City Thunder faced major expectations after going 68-14, securing the top playoff seed in the West and winning the NBA championship last season. An encore was going to be tough. While there’s still work to do, the team is off to a pretty good start there.
With their 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, the Thunder have become the first NBA team this season to clinch a playoff spot. The Thunder are the first team to clinch a playoff spot 😤 Is OKC the favorite to lift the chip? 🏆 pic.
twitter. com/mUBK11Ekz9 — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 18, 2026 It’s an accomplishment worth celebrating, even if making the playoffs is a low bar for the defending NBA champions. The Thunder, of course, are in position to once again lock up a high seed in the Western Conference.
After Tuesday’s win, Oklahoma City improved to 54-15. That’s the best record in the NBA at the moment. The Thunder are arguably playing their best basketball right now, riding a nine-game winning streak.