The Thunder’s path through the Western Conference just got a lot less forgiving.
What looked like a manageable run back toward the Conference Finals has turned into something much tougher in the opening stretch of the 2026-27 NBA season. The West is winning the early numbers battle in a big way, and Oklahoma City is finding out quickly that the conference may be deeper than anyone expected when the offseason started.
As of Thursday, Western Conference teams have won 18 more games than the Eastern Conference overall. In head-to-head matchups, the West is 28-10 in inter-conference play. That kind of imbalance changes the feel of the season fast, especially for a team like the Thunder that was supposed to have a cleaner lane than most.
The early standings tell the same story. Through Oklahoma City’s first 12 games last season, only four Western teams had at least eight wins.
This year, seven teams in the conference already have eight or more. That’s a crowded race, and it leaves very little room for anyone to coast.
The Nuggets, who were expected to be among OKC’s biggest threats, have stumbled out to a 6-4 start and are sitting on the playoff bubble. But the bigger point is that the conference as a whole has been far stronger than the preseason buzz suggested.
The Thunder have already taken hits from some of the West’s unexpected risers, including the Trail Blazers and Mavericks. After an early wave of injuries, Oklahoma City has gone 5-4 over its last nine games. Strip away the wins against Eastern Conference opponents, though, and the record drops to 2-4.
That’s where the East has quietly propped up the Thunder’s standing. Coach Mark Daigneault’s team is holding the seventh seed right now, and three inter-conference wins have helped keep them afloat.
It’s a sharp contrast to what many expected before the season. The Knicks, Cavs, and Heat have all come out slower than anticipated, while younger Western teams have surged into the spotlight. The Mavericks, Grizzlies, and Blazers were not the names most people were circling before the season, but they’ve helped turn the West into what looks like an especially deep conference.
For Oklahoma City, that means the road back to the Conference Finals may be steeper than it first appeared.
In Other News...
Jared McCains Surge Suddenly Matters More For OKC Than Ever
With Ajay Mitchell ruled out for the upcoming game against Portland because of an ankle sprain, the Thunder suddenly have a little more room for someone else to shoulder the scoring load. Jared McCain has been trending up at the right time, and his recent efficiency has given Oklahoma City another perimeter option to lean on as it prepares for the rematch.
McCain already showed what that can look like against the Trail Blazers, when he put up 21 points in the previous meeting. If that kind of production carries over again, the Thunder could be asking him to do more than just fill minutes. The bigger question is whether this surge is the start of a larger offensive role or just a timely burst when Oklahoma City needs it most. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Get Immediate Shot To Answer Portland Without Key Pieces
The Thunder get an immediate chance to reset the tone Wednesday night in Portland, where theyll face the Trail Blazers again at the Moda Center just one day after the teams opened this back-to-back. Oklahoma City is still in the early part of the season, but these quick rematches can say plenty about how a team handles a loss, especially on the road and on short rest.
This one also comes with some lineup uncertainty for Oklahoma City, which adds another layer to a game that already has the feel of a response opportunity. The broadcast details, betting line and projected starters are all in place, but the bigger question is whether the Thunder can bring a cleaner, sharper version of themselves into the second meeting and leave Portland with a different result. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Could Need Nique Clifford Much Sooner Than Expected
Nique Cliffords first look in a Thunder uniform came with the usual rookie hurdles, but there was enough there to leave a positive impression on Mark Daigneault. Even while still getting his arms around the playbook and learning the feel of his new teammates, Clifford showed enough in his debut to suggest Oklahoma City may be able to lean on him sooner than expected if the need arises.
The need may already be forming as the Thunder work through a crowded injury situation, with Ajay Mitchells ankle issue only adding to the pressure on the rotation. If Clifford is asked to take on a bigger role, the timing could matter even more with Jared McCain trending upward offensively and potentially becoming a key piece in the upcoming meetings with the Portland Trail Blazers. [Read more 🡒]