Thunder clinch playoff spotAFP, LOS ANGELESShai Gilgeous-Alexander on Tuesday delivered a 40-point scoring performance as the Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team to punch their ticket to the NBA playoffs with a 113-108 defeat of the Orlando Magic. Oklahoma City’s ninth straight victory leaves them 54-15 at the top of the Western Conference, ahead of the second-placed San Antonio Spurs. Paolo Banchero led Orlando’s scoring with 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Photo: APReigning NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Gilgeous-Alexander saluted the Thunder’s resilience after a mixed first-half performance. “We got off to a good start, but then the car kind of came off the road for a little bit,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

Source: Taipei Times March 18, 2026 17:14 UTC