OKC crushes the Magic with Shai leading the way: they are already classified for the playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder faced this season with immense pressure after achieving a spectacular 68-14 record, securing the top spot in the West, and winning the NBA championship last season. Repeating such success was not an easy task.

So far, the team is exceeding expectations. The 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday allowed Oklahoma City to become the first franchise to secure a playoff spot this season.

This is a significant achievement, although for the reigning champions, making the playoffs may seem like a minimum objective. Nevertheless, the Thunder are once again positioning themselves as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference. Following that victory, the team led by Mark Daigneault improved their record to a solid 54-15, the current best record in the league, also stringing together nine consecutive wins and showcasing one of their best moments of the season.

However, the journey has not been as dominant as the previous year. After losing only 14 games in the entire 2024-25 regular season, the Thunder have already surpassed that number of losses this season, showing greater vulnerability.

Part of this inconsistency can be attributed to injuries. The reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, missed nine games in the middle of the season due to an abdominal injury. Additionally, Jalen Williams has only been able to play 26 games due to hamstring issues, impacting the team's continuity.

Nevertheless, Gilgeous-Alexander has returned without missing a beat and continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, averaging 31.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game.

Playoffs on the Horizon

With uncertainty surrounding Williams' physical condition heading into the playoffs, the key for Oklahoma City will be keeping their leader healthy. If Gilgeous-Alexander remains on the court, the Thunder will once again be a formidable contender in the title race.

Defending the championship has always been a major challenge, but even after a more demanding season full of obstacles, Oklahoma City remains in a privileged position to keep the dream of a back-to-back title alive.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, OKC destroza a los Magic al ritmo de Shai: ya están clasificados para playoffs