Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Could Benefit From Third Seed In NBA Playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder could benefit from being the third seed in the NBA Playoffs after recent losing streak.

Apr 3, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) reacts / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder sit in the midst of a heated race atop the Western Conference. With razor-thin margins separating the top three squads as well as a dog fight in the middle of the table, the fate of the playoffs out West will likely wait until the final day of the regular season to be decided. 

Though, as the Thunder sit in the third spot at 52-24 and a game back of first place, this may actually be the ideal landing spot for the Bricktown boys. Starring down the barrel of another game without their top two scorers as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad) is listed as out and Jalen Williams (ankle) tabbed as doubtful ahead of their tilt with the Pacers, Oklahoma City may prefer rest over chasing a top seed.

No matchup or place in the ledger matters if Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are not fully healthy the Thunder will not make it far. The advantage to third in the West comes with the benefit of knowing your playoff opponent for an entire week ahead of game one to help with preparation and the likihood of avoiding the Lakers. 

The Purple and Gold present the biggest threat to the Bricktown boys of their possible first-round matchup and it is unlikely the Lakers will do any better than the ninth seed heading into the play-in tournament. 

Avoiding the dangerous Lakers to draw a more favorable matchup, resting star players and still likely ending up on the opposite side of the bracket as the Denver Nuggets would be a win all the way around for Oklahoma City.

Stiles Points

• The OKC Blue continue their NBA G League postseason by traveling to that on the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the Conference Semi-Final. The last time out Ousmane Dieng hit a game-winning layup to send the Blue to the next round.
• The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to have an NBA Lottery pick in June's draft, nearly solidified by the Rockets falling to the Warriors on Thursday. In the latest round of Mock Drafts, the Ringer offered up a curious choice.
• As the Thunder battle the Pacers as the Timberwolves battle the Suns in a tight Western Conference Standings race.
• Oklahoma City will try to avoid suffering their third straight loss, which would be their longest losing skid of the season.

Song of the Day: When Push Comes to Shove by Grateful Dead

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