Clippers' collapse in Play-In Tournament delivers Thunder a lottery gift

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksWhat To Know About The First RoundLatest Power RankingsThe Bucks' Season From HellPlayer Poll: Who Will Win Title?NBA Postseason Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points Wednesday night, but it was not enough for the Clippers. Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images Share article1INGLEWOOD, Calif. — As the final horn sounded inside Intuit Dome on Wednesday night, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors spilled onto the court, celebrating a wild, come-from-behind win in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. The home crowd was stunned. The LA Clippers were shocked. And along press row, a group of scouts watching it all unfold was also upset. “F—!” one shouted. “OKC gets another lottery pick.” In the immediate aftermath of the 126-121 Warriors victory, the ripple effects stretched well beyond those in attendance. The Clippers’ elimination means the 2026 first-round pick owed to Oklahoma City will enter the lottery. Slotted at No. 12, the pick carries a 7.1 percent chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5 percent chance of becoming the No. 1 pick. The 2026 pick is the final asset headed to Oklahoma City from the 2019 blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to L.A. The deal also delivered future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a haul of picks and draft-pick swaps and Danilo Gallinari to the Thunder. The Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets — the league’s three worst teams — each hold a 14 percent chance at the top pick. The Clippers could receive the Pacers’ first-round pick if it falls between Nos. 5 and 9 as part of the Ivica Zubac trade at the trade deadline. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Dan Woike covers the Los Angeles Lakers for The Athletic. He's written about professional basketball in Los Angeles since 2011, first for the Orange County Register and most recently for the Los Angeles Times. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the Pro Basketball Writers Association, the Los Angeles Press Club and the California News Publishers Association. He's originally from Chicago. Follow Dan on Twitter @DanWoikeSports