Upcoming MVP Canidate Matchup Will Have Big Implications On The End Of OKC's Season

The Thunder are set to take on the Lakers on Wednesday night with the end of the season approaching fast.

Mar 29, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates after scoring against the New York Knicks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City faces a late-season obstacle that stands right in the way of its goals. 

The Thunder are currently sitting at the top of the West with a 60-16 record, with only six games remaining. OKC continues to be in control of its own destiny, but other West opponents are creeping on the horizon. 

The San Antonio Spurs sit just 2.5 games behind OKC, and are looking for any opportunity to continue to rise in the Western Conference rankings. The Thunder must avoid any major losses, as every dropped game opens the door for Oklahoma City to lose its top spot. 

One of these important games is OKC’s Wednesday night bout against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers currently sit in the third spot in the West and are trying to keep that spot. Not only will this be a top-3 Western Conference battle, but it will be a battle between two MVP candidates. 

Los Angeles is led by Luka Doncic, who has continued to showcase that he is one of the best players in the league. The star guard averages the most points in the league with 33.7 per game. Doncic is also good about getting his teammates involved, averaging the fourth most assists in the league with 8.4. 

The Thunder have their own superstar to lead them into battle in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.6 points per game on 55.3% shooting, as well as 6.5 assists. He has led OKC to the best record in the NBA so far for the second year in a row, and is one of the most clutch players in the league. 

The Thunder have owned the Lakers so far this season, with OKC being 2-0 in the season series against Los Angeles. However, this is no reason for Oklahoma City to let its foot off the gas, as this game is just as important as the first two. 

The Thunder have one of the hardest schedules remaining in the NBA as they take on the Lakers twice, as well as the Nuggets, Suns and Clippers down the road. OKC must be prepared for every test down the road, and this begins on Wednesday night. 

Although it isn’t the end of the world if the Thunder don’t end up with the top seed in the West, it's definitely something the team should strive for. The best record means home court advantage in the playoffs, and any upper hand could allow OKC to take home the title for a second year in a row.