Updated Mar. 16 West playoff standings as short-handed Thunder survive Pistons
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a strong hold on the first seed. That's been the case for most of the season, with a double-digit game lead in the standings. There's been little drama for most of the year on whether they'll repeat as the top seed.
The Thunder returned to action with a 113-107 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Down three starters, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried a depleted OKC squad to the finish line with an efficient 48 points.
The Thunder won't have much time to enjoy that win. They're on a road back-to-back. They face the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Less than a month remains in the 2024-25 regular season. Even though the Thunder aren't involved, plenty of heated races for seeding have ramped up as the maeing for error gets thinner. Thunder Wire will conduct daily updates on the West's standings until the season ends:
What happened last night?
Thunder 113, Pistons 107: Gilgeous-Alexander scored 48 points and took over in the fourth quarter to ensure the win. The Pistons struggled to keep up as Cade Cunningham was ejected in the third quarter. Detroit spent more time complaining about the referees than trying to complete a comeback.
Rockets 117, Bulls 111: The Rockets won their sixth in a row. It's been a soft part of their schedule. Jalen Green had 28 points and Alperen Sengun finished with a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double. Houston did just enough in the second half to secure the victory.
Grizzlies 125, Heat 91: The Grizzlies beat up on the Heat. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the blowout win with an efficient 31 points. Desmond Bane contributed with a near 22-point triple-double. It was a much-needed victory for Memphis to keep up with the rest of the West.
Warriors 97, Knicks 94: The Warriors remain hot with their seventh straight win. Stephen Curry's 28 points headlined the low-scoring affair. The Knicks continue to struggle without Jalen Brunson. Golden State remains one of the best teams since the trade deadline.
Wizards 126, Nuggets 123: Again? Seriously? The Wizards swept the Nuggets in their regular-season series. Two losses to a basement dweller are simply unacceptable for Denver, especially in a tight race. Nikola Jokic had 40 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, but Alex Sarr went off for 34 points on the other end. Jordan Poole scored the game-winning 3-pointer to seal the result.
Mar. 16 playoff standings
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder 55-12 — GB
- 2. Houston Rockets 43-25 — 12.5 GB
- 3. Denver Nuggets 43-25 — 12.5 GB
- 4. Memphis Grizzlies 43-25 — 12.5 GB
- 5. Los Angeles Lakers 40-25 — 14 GB
- 6. Golden State Warriors 39-28 — 16 GB
- 7. Minnesota Timberwolves 39-29 — 16.5 GB
- 8. LA Clippers 37-30 — 18 GB
- 9. Sacramento Kings 33-33 — 21.5 GB
- 10. Dallas Mavericks 33-35 — 22.5 GB
- 11. Phoenix Suns 31-36 — 24 GB
Notable games today
- Sixers vs. Mavericks, 12 p.m. CT (ABC)
- Suns vs. Lakers, 2:30 p.m. CT (ABC)
- Jazz vs. Timberwolves, 6 p.m. CT
- Hornets vs. Clippers, 6 p.m. CT
- Thunder vs. Bucks, 8 p.m. CT (ESPN)
Next 3 games for the Thunder
- Wednesday, Mar. 19 vs. Sixers
- Friday, Mar. 21 vs. Hornets
- Sunday, Mar. 23 at Clippers
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Updated Mar. 16 West playoff standings as Thunder survive Pistons
-
Updated Mar. 15 West playoff standings as Thunder face Pistons
Updated Mar. 15 West playoff standings as Oklahoma City Thunder face Detroit Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Updated Mar. 14 West playoff standings for Thunder after win over Celtics
Updated Mar. 14 West playoff standings for Oklahoma City Thunder after win over Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Thunder vs. Pistons: Live updates, highlights for Saturday's game
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Detroit Pistons: Live updates, highlights for Saturday's game.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Player grades: SGA's 48 points carries short-handed Thunder to 113-107 win over Pistons
Player grades for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-107 win over the Detroit Pistons.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Detroit Pistons rally falls short vs Oklahoma City Thunder after Cade Cunningham ejection
Detroit Pistons score: Star Cade Cunningham was T'd up twice in a bizarre 3Q sequence, and the Pistons rallied in the fourth of a loss to the Thunder.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Thunder vs. Pistons Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 15
Oklahoma City Thunder at Detroit Pistons Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d -
OKC Thunder injury update, prediction: Chet Holmgren is out vs. Detroit Pistons
Predictions, picks and odds as the OKC Thunder faces the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Plus, injury updates and news.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Cade Cunningham ejected in bizarre tech-fest from refs in Detroit Pistons game vs. Thunder
Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham was ejected early in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at LCA.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Full injury report for Saturday's Thunder vs. Pistons matchup
Full injury report for Saturday's Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Detroit Pistons matchup.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 14m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 18m
More in Sports
-
Antonio says he came 'close to dying' in car crash that left the West Ham striker with shattered leg
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is “100%” confident he will play again as he recovers from a car crash that left him with a “completely shattered” leg and a realization “how close I was to ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Updating LSU women's basketball's national title odds after NCAA Selection Sunday
Here's where LSU women's basketball stands in the latest national championship odds following the March Madness bracket revealYahoo Sports - 14m -
New Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo discusses playing opposite Montez Sweat
New Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is excited to learn from Montez Sweat.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Islanders Playoff Chase Update After Comeback Win vs. Panthers
ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders entered Sunday night's matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers six points back of the second wild-card spot with 18 games to go.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
🎥 All of the best bits from Newcastle's fantastic EFL Cup final win 🔥
Newcastle United ended English football's most infamous trophy drought, defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday. And after a 70 year wait, you just knew the Toon Army would ...Yahoo Sports - 18m