Thunder Looking to be First No. 10 Seed to win Play-In Game

Oklahoma City made the postseason, but the hardest work is still ahead of them.

With a Mavericks loss on Friday the Thunder clinched the tenth seed in the Western Conference and the final spot in the play-in tournament.

The Thunder though are facing an uphill battle as a No. 10 seed has ever won in the play-in since it was initiated. Teams in the spot have gone 0-4 to this point, but OKC has a chance to make history, something they’ve been a part of multiple times this season.

The Thunder don’t know their opponent but it will likely be between the Clippers, Lakers or Timberwolves or Pelicans. Last season the No. 10 seed lost on average by 19.5 points per game. In last year's Western Conference play-in the Spurs lost by 10 to New Orleans. In 2021 the Spurs also as the tenth seed lost to Memphis by just six points.

OKC is 24-27 against the Western Conference this season and could make a small run in the postseason if the team clicks on all cylinders.

The Thunder have struggled to the finish line, but used help from others to remain in the race. OKC is 4-6 in its last 10 games and comes into the final regular season game on Sunday looking to pick up momentum before taking the youngest roster in the league to the postseason.

History is not on the side of the Thunder but on the other side of the coin OKC has been a part of history before and has the chance to again make history as being the first 10-seed to win a play-in game. They await the results above them in the standings to determine who will be the challenger.

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