Thunder Clinch No. 1 Seed, Defeat Hornets 141-106

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their fifth consecutive victory with a 141-106 win over the Charlotte Hornets, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 30 points. Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's leading scorer at 33.0 points per game, returned to the lineup after resting in the previous game, contributing significantly with six rebounds and nine assists. Oklahoma City has now clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the second straight season, aided by their depth despite missing key starters Lu Dort and Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein also made notable contributions with 14 and 12 points, respectively. The Hornets, without injured stars LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, struggled defensively and have now lost several games by significant margins. As they prepare for upcoming games, both teams look to address their roster challenges and maintain their competitive edge.