The Oklahoma City Thunder are nearing locking down the top seeding for the NBA’s Western Conference for the third year running, Yankee Scores reports. 

An overwhelming performance against the Los Angeles Lakers for the second time within six days.

The Thunder have just one more victory to register or for the San Antonio Spurs to fall, to lock up the top seeding position in the Western Conference.

Lakers’ Woes Continue

This was also the second consecutive heavy loss for the Lakers following a 139-96 loss to the defending champions earlier on Thursday.

With the absence of key players such as Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, the Lakers were still able to keep pace with Oklahoma City for almost three-quarters but could only manage two points against their opponents’ 23 points as they headed into halftime.

Imperious Shai

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put in an impressive 25 points within 28 minutes to maintain his 139-game consecutive streak with a tally of 20 or more points, the Oklahoma City Thunder won their sixth consecutive match and 18 out of the last 19.

This loss marks their third successive defeat as they drop behind the Denver Nuggets in the race to take the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference.

Zai showed off his range tonight 🎯

Your @OGandE Power Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/X8xeuktqSq

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 8, 2026

Hachimura Rui was the top scorer for the host side, recording 15 points without any other Los Angeles player managing 11 points.

NBA Results

In another game, the Phoenix Suns failed to secure their guaranteed automatic entry into the playoffs as they suffered a crushing 119-105 loss to the Houston Rockets.

Kevin Durant, whom the Suns traded to the Houston Rockets, contributed to the loss by scoring 24 points against his old team with fans booing at the home stadium whenever he made shots.

The result also confirmed the Minnesota Timberwolves’ entry into the playoffs as they secured the eighth seed in the West Conference by defeating the Indiana Pacers with an overwhelming scoreline of 124-104.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics took another step towards sealing their position for the second seed after a convincing 113-102 win over the surging Charlotte Hornets, while the Toronto Raptors kept their playoff hopes alive with a 121-95 victory over the Miami Heat that will be playing in the upcoming play-in tournament, together with the Suns.