Western Conference

The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder were scheduled to battle the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

23 Mwezi wa nne, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

The 2026 NBA playoff bracket is set following the play-in tournament. In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers won the #7 seed by defeating the Orlando Magic in the 9-10 matchup and then the loser of the 7-8 game, while the Magic took #8 after beating the Charlotte Hornets. In the West, the Golden State Warriors claimed #7 and Portland Trail Blazers #8. Full first-round matchups below.

The Oklahoma City Thunder face the New York Knicks in an NBA game on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. OKC enters as the Western Conference top seed after winning last season's championship, while the Knicks aim for their fourth straight postseason appearance. The Thunder are 4-point favorites with an over/under of 221.5 points.

25 Mwezi wa pili, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

The San Antonio Spurs have taken the top spot in the latest NBA power rankings, making a compelling case as the best team in the Western Conference. Victor Wembanyama's defensive impact is drawing comparisons to prime Stephen Curry's offensive influence. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers and Celtics are surging in the East, while the Rockets and Knicks remain unpredictable.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is expected to make his return from a hyperextended left knee injury against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing 16 games since late December. The three-time MVP's comeback keeps him in contention for season awards, provided he meets the 65-game eligibility threshold. With the Nuggets holding a strong Western Conference position, his return bolsters their playoff push.

26 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

The NBA has named Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic as the Western Conference Player of the Week for week 14 of the 2025-26 season. Doncic averaged 34.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and two steals per game while shooting 49.2% from the field, helping the Lakers to a 2-1 record. This marks his second such honor with the Lakers and the 16th of his career.