That potential top pick is tied to the 2019 Paul George trade, which has already provided the Thunder with a strong core including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, among other young pieces. The move underpins OKC’s continued relevance in the lottery conversation.
The Clippers finished as the Western Conference’s ninth seed with a 42-40 record. Their loss effectively ended their playoff bid, a scenario that would have kept the Thunder outside the lottery range had Los Angeles advanced.
Lottery odds are broken down as follows: 1.5% for No. 1, 1.7% for No. 2, 1.9% for No. 3, 2.1% for No. 4, with the most likely outcome No. 12 at 86.1%, No. 13 at 8.6%, and No. 14 at 0.1%.
If the Warriors advance to the playoffs, the Thunder’s odds would rise slightly in what many pundits regard as a loaded draft class, increasing the potential for OKC to land a top pick.
The No. 1 pick remains the final piece in the George-Gilgeous-Alexander trade package, fueling ongoing optimism about Oklahoma City’s long-term trajectory as they pursue continued success.
OklaÂhoma City enters the playoffs as the Western Conference’s top seed after a 64-win regular season. They will have seven full days of rest before the first-round series begins, while the winner of the Suns–Warriors play-in will face OKC as the 8th seed (the loser lands the 9th seed with a slim lottery chance). The Thunder are widely positioned as favorites entering the postseason, following a recent stretch that included successful first-round showings in recent years.
