Mark Daigneault not worried about 'sense of urgency' in race for 1st seed

Sitting in first place for the entire 2025-26 regular season, the Oklahoma City Thunder will watch over their shoulders the rest of the way. Only two weeks remain in the NBA's marathon. And they can spot the San Antonio Spurs ' shadow.

The Thunder only have a two-game lead over the Spurs for the first seed. That gives them a paper-thin margin for error. Despite being an impressive 16-2 since the NBA All-Star break, they can only afford one — maybe two — losses the rest of their way in their final eight games.

Don't think we can underestimate just how important clinching the first seed is. For multiple reasons. First off, those obvious one.

The Thunder need homecourt advantage. Feels like we're heading into a collision course with OKC and San Antonio in the 2026 Western Conference Finals. Whoever gets more games in their home gym could determine that series.