Thunder Dominate Mavericks to Secure No. 1 Seed in Western Conference Playoffs

In a dominant display, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a resounding 135-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 15 points in just one half of play, showcasing the Thunder's depth and determination as they clinched the top spot for the first time since 2012-13. The race for seeding came down to the wire as the Thunder ended the regular season with the same record as the Denver Nuggets, ultimately securing the top spot on a tiebreaker.

With the playoffs looming, the Thunder now await the outcome of the play-in tournament to determine their first-round opponent, setting the stage for an exciting postseason run. Meanwhile, the Mavericks opted to rest key players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, looking ahead to their first-round matchup against the LA Clippers. As the playoff picture takes shape, NBA fans eagerly anticipate the high-stakes matchups and potential upsets that lie ahead in the quest for the championship.