Thunder Demolish Lakers 123-87, Close In on No. 1 Seed

Oklahoma City made a statement on Tuesday night, steamrolling the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 123-87 to sweep the season series and extend their dominance to 18 wins in their last 19 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 25 points and eight assists, Isaiah Joe drained six triples, and Chet Holmgren added a 15-and-10 double-double.

The Thunder can clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and the best overall record in the NBA with a win on Wednesday against the Hawks — or if the Spurs lose. It's a formality at this point. OKC has been the best team in basketball all season and they're peaking at exactly the right time.

For the Lakers, the 36-point loss was their third straight defeat without Doncic and Reaves, and the gap between these two teams has never looked wider. The play-in tournament starts April 14, and the playoffs begin April 18.