Overview
- Oklahoma City secured the season’s first playoff spot with a 113-108 win in Orlando, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 40 points as Isaiah Hartenstein contributed seven rebounds and eight assists without scoring.
- The defending champions then routed Brooklyn 121-92 for their 10th straight victory, remaining the league’s only team assured of a postseason place.
- Orlando’s seven-game run ended with a 124-112 loss in Atlanta before the defeat to OKC, putting the Magic’s hold on a direct Eastern Conference playoff position at risk.
- Atlanta’s streak reached double digits behind standout nights against Orlando, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 41 points and Jalen Johnson’s second consecutive triple-double, tightening the chase behind Miami and Orlando.
- Franz Wagner stayed out with an ankle sprain as Tristan da Silva started for 13 points and Moritz Wagner added five, and an unusual sequence saw Thunder guard Alex Caruso block a da Silva attempt with his shoe, ruled goaltending plus a technical foul.