NBA Standings Update: Thunder Control Postseason Hopes

After finishing the past two seasons with less than 25 victories, OKC was projected to win less than 30 games once again this season. The Thunder have blown past this projection already, holding a 39-42 record heading into the team's final contest of the season.

By all accounts, Oklahoma City overachieved in 2022-23 by winning almost 40 games without the help of second overall draft pick Chet Holmgren. Now, OKC has a shot at the postseason for the first time since 2020, a team that featured Chris Paul, Steven Adams, Danilo Gallinari, and Dennis Schroder.

Heading into the April 7 slate of games, the Thunder hold the 10th spot in the Western Conference, just edging out the 38-42 Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City holds the tiebreaker over Dallas thanks to an early victory over the 2022 Western Conference Finals' competitors.

The Mavericks however, have an important matchup with the Chicago Bulls at home on Friday evening. If the Mavericks win, they will have the same record as OKC, but will still trail the Thunder in the standings due to of the aforementioned tiebreaker.

On the NBA's 2:30 P.M. Injury Report, Dallas' Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kyrie Irving, Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood were all listed as OUT. Luka Doncic was also on the injury report, listed as probable.

For Chicago, Patrick Beverley, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are listed as OUT, likely due to the Bulls locking up the final Eastern Conference Pay-In spot. With both teams missing so many key pieces, it will be up to Doncic to keep the Mavericks' Play-In hopes alive.

If Dallas gets the win on Friday night, then Oklahoma City must either; win its final contest, or hope for a Mavericks loss on Sunday. OKC takes on the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Sunday evening, who could also be without some of their key players.

If the Grizzlies take down the Milwaukee Bucks on April 7, Memphis will be locked into the second seed in the Western Conference, meaning that they too would likely rest their stars in the final game of the season.

In tonight's matchup between the Bucks and Grizzlies, Grayson Allen, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton are all listed as OUT. The lack of stardom on the court for Milwaukee bodes well for Memphis, indirectly benefiting the Thunder's hopes at a Play-In berth as well.

To simplify the equation, all Oklahoma City has to do to secure a spot in the postseason, is win its season finale at home on Sunday, April 9 against the Grizzlies.

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