NBA Playoff Scenarios: No. 3 Seed Best-Case Scenario For Thunder?

How is postseason position squaring up for the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Apr 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; (L-R) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) and / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA playoffs are just over a week away. For the first time since 2020, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be playing playoff basketball. Not only that, but they'll be hosting a playoff series with a top-three seed in the Western Conference locked up. This comes just one season after the team fell short in the Play-In Tournament as a No. 10 seed. 

With the NBA season winding down -- as the Thunder has two remaining contests -- there is plenty to be decided in playoff positioning. The Thunder is in a race for the No. 1 seed, trailing the Denver Nuggets and tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But what is the best-case finish for Oklahoma City?

Evidently, finishing with the No. 3 seed could be an ideal finish as the Thunder hosts a playoff series. The No. 1 seed is going to face one of the following teams; New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

If the Thunder finishes with the No. 3 seed, the likely teams they'd play shrinks. It'd be one of the Pelicans, Suns or Kings. The most likely scenario of those would be the Pelicans or Suns. 

Playing the Suns would be most ideal, but playing the Pelicans rather than having to host Stephen Curry or LeBron James in round one of the playoffs makes the most sense. This scenario would also see the Thunder avoiding one of the Los Angeles Clippers or Dallas Mavericks, the winner of the 4/5 first-round matchup. 

If the Thunder secured the No. 3 seed, they would arguably be seeing their best path to the NBA Finals. If things stand as they are, the Nuggets would have to face a tough opponent in the Play-In Tournament -- nothing they can't handle, but a team that will wear them down. They then will have to face the Clippers' depth and defense or combo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, no easy task.

The Thunder would have a winnable first-round series, then take on the Minnesota Timberwolves -- assuming they take care of business in round one -- which would see the winner in the Western Conference Finals.

It's hard to imagine the Thunder winning a title in year one of playing competitive basketball, but if things line up well for them with playoff positioning, it's ignorant to place any ceiling on them rather than letting the team determine what they can accomplish in their first playoff run together.

Until then, there is plenty to unravel in terms of playoff positioning and wrapping up what has been an entertaining and fun NBA regular season.

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