Despite not seeing action, the OKC Thunder secured the West no. 1 spot for the second straight season thanks to the Milwaukee Bucks’ demolition of the star-less LA Lakers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder will enjoy home-court advantage in the Western Conference come playoff time in April, after Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks dominate the short-handed Lakers. | Photos: NBA, Bucks
For the second straight season, the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the West top seed following the Milwaukee Bucks’ blowout win against the LA Lakers.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are holding their breath on Stephen Curry after a pelvic contusion led to an early exit against the Toronto Raptors.
THUNDER CLAIM WEST TOP SEED WITH HELP OF BUCKS; STEPH CURRY INJURY CASTS DOUBT ON LATEST WARRIOR WIN
- Milwaukee Bucks (39-30) def. LA Lakers (43-26), 118-89: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points in just 29 minutes, as the Bucks crushed the undermanned Lakers to halt a two-game skid.
- Thunder Up Again: With the Bucks’ win over the Lakers, the playoff-bound OKC Thunder officially clinched the top seed in the Western Conference for the second straight season.
- Golden State Warriors (41-29) def. Toronto Raptors (24-46), 117-114: Despite Stephen Curry’s early exit, Jimmy Butler towed the Warriors past the Raptors to finish a seven-game homestand at 6-1.
[ALSO READ: Jimmy Butler notches triple-double in Warriors win, but lost Stephen Curry to injury]
- Indiana Pacers (40-29) def. Brooklyn Nets (23-47), 105-99: Another day, another clutch Pacers showing as Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner towed Indiana in a narrow overtime escape over the Nets.
[ALSO READ: Resilient Pacers continue late-game heroics, edge Nets in overtime for third straight win]
- Chicago Bulls (30-40) def. Sacramento Kings (35-34), 128-116: Coby White uncorked 31 of his 35 points in the second half as the Bulls tamed the Kings to spoil DeMar DeRozan’ scoring milestone.
- Welcome to the 25K Club, Deebo: Despite the loss, DeRozan logged 22 markers on the night he became the 27th player in league history to surpass 25,000 career points.
DeMar DeRozan becomes the 27th player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career PTS!
Congrats, DeMar!!
pic.twitter.com/IjzPv59JK8
— NBA (@NBA) March 21, 2025
- Charlotte Hornets (18-51) def. New York Knicks (43-26), 115-98: LaMelo Ball submitted 25 points, eight assists, and five threes and the Hornets ended a six-game losing streak to the Knicks with a strong home rout.