Key Takeaways:
- Oklahoma City Thunder sealed the NBA’s best regular-season record with a 128-110 triumph against the Los Angeles Clippers
- Chet Holmgren delivered a standout performance, recording 30 points and 14 rebounds
- The Thunder will enjoy homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs after tallying their 64th win of the campaign
Thunder Dominate Clippers to Clinch NBA’s Best Record
Chet Holmgren showcased his prowess by notching 30 points and 14 rebounds, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder to a comprehensive 128-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood on Wednesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed with 20 points and 11 assists, while Jalen Williams added 18 points, ensuring Oklahoma City completed the regular season with a league-best 64-16 record.
This win ensures that the Thunder, current NBA champions, have secured homecourt advantage for the duration of their title defence. Following this result, they have managed to stave off San Antonio, who sit at 61-19 after an 18-2 resurgence since February. Oklahoma City have now extended their impressive form, with seven consecutive victories and 19 wins from their last 20 outings, clinching the West’s top seed for the third season running.
Put in work out west 😤 pic.twitter.com/QjgwfzOF8M
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 9, 2026
Clippers’ Streak in Peril as Playoff Race Tightens
Kawhi Leonard paced the Clippers with 20 points, reaching the 20-point threshold in his 56th straight game and maintaining his eligibility for All-NBA honours by edging closer to 65 appearances this season – his highest total in seven years with the franchise. Brook Lopez chipped in with 16 points for Los Angeles, who have now slipped to eighth place despite compiling a 35-18 record since shortly before Christmas.
The Clippers must now win at least one of their remaining two fixtures to extend their run of consecutive winning seasons to fifteen. Next up is a crucial encounter in Portland on Friday; the victors in that match will likely clinch eighth place in the Western Conference, while the losing side will face a tougher path, needing two play-in wins to secure a playoff berth.
Key Player & Team Statistics
Chet Holmgren electrified the opening half with 24 points, helping the Thunder build a commanding 25-point advantage early. Oklahoma City were clinical offensively, converting 58.1% of their attempts and nullifying the Clippers’ transition game by conceding no fast-break field goals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his record-breaking consistency, scoring at least 20 points for the 141st consecutive game, despite sitting out the fourth quarter. On the Clippers’ side, Darius Garland was absent as a precaution for a toe injury; since joining from Cleveland as part of the James Harden trade, Garland has not taken part in back-to-back games with Los Angeles.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Rebounds (Top) | Assists (Top) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 128 | Chet Holmgren (30) | Chet Holmgren (14) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11) |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 110 | Kawhi Leonard (20) | John Collins (9) | Kris Dunn, Jordan Miller (6) |
Looking Ahead
- The Thunder will next travel to Denver on Friday for their upcoming fixture
- Clippers are set to face Portland on Friday in a decisive matchup for playoff positioning
