It is the trade that won't stop giving. Every time LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder shows up on the schedule, you can’t help but think about that 2019 blockbuster that sent Paul George to Hollywood and basically gifted Oklahoma City their entire current identity. Fast forward to January 2026, and the vibes couldn't be more different for these two franchises.
The Thunder are currently sitting pretty. They are coming off a 2025 championship run—their first since moving from Seattle—and are essentially the gold standard of how to build a roster. Meanwhile, the Clippers are scrappy. Honestly, "scrappy" might be an understatement for a team that has been fighting tooth and nail just to stay in the play-in conversation this season.
The State of the Rivalry in 2026
If you’ve been following the Western Conference lately, you know the Thunder are a juggernaut. They currently hold the No. 1 seed in the West with an implied playoff probability of over 99%. That’s a terrifying stat for anyone else in the conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) isn't just a star anymore; he’s a legitimate MVP frontrunner, averaging nearly 32 points per game this season.
The Clippers? They’ve had a rougher go of it. They started the year looking a bit lost, but they’ve recently surged. On January 17, 2026, they finally clawed their way into the 10th seed after a gritty 121-117 win over the Toronto Raptors.
👉 See also: Pass Block Win Rate: Why the NFL's Favorite Stat is More Complicated Than You Think
They’re basically the team nobody wants to see in a single-elimination game because James Harden is still capable of turning back the clock. In that Raptors game, the "Beard" put up 31 points and 10 assists. When he’s clicking, the Clippers are a nightmare.
Recent History and Head-to-Head
Looking back at their most recent meetings, the Thunder have definitely had the upper hand.
- November 4, 2025: OKC rolled into LA and handled business, winning 126-107. SGA had 30, and the Thunder improved to a historic 8-0 start.
- December 18, 2025: A dominant 122-101 win for OKC at the Paycom Center.
It feels like every time they meet, the Thunder's depth just overwhelms the Clippers' top-heavy roster. But it’s never just about the score. It’s about the "what ifs." Clippers fans still watch SGA and wonder what could have been if they hadn't traded him. Thunder fans just enjoy the show.
📖 Related: Starting NFL Quarterbacks 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Clippers are Suddenly Dangerous
You can’t count out a team that has Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, even if the injury report looks like a CVS receipt most weeks. As of mid-January 2026, the Clippers have been dealing with a few dings. Kawhi has missed some time with an ankle sprain, and guys like Bradley Beal and Bogdan Bogdanovic have been sidelined.
But here’s the thing: they’ve gone 12-2 over their last 14 games.
That is not a fluke. They’ve become one of the best "clutch" teams in the league, winning three straight games where they trailed in the final minutes. Harden, at 36, is playing with a level of veteran savvy that’s honestly impressive to watch. He’s not the scoring machine he was in Houston, but his playmaking is keeping the Clippers' playoff hopes alive.
The OKC Machine: No Signs of Slowing Down
On the flip side, the Thunder are just... deep. It’s not just SGA. You’ve got Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren providing elite support. Even when they "sputter"—like they did recently with a loss to Miami—they usually bounce back immediately.
What’s wild is how they’ve managed to maintain this level of play after winning a ring. Most young teams have a bit of a "championship hangover." Not these guys. Mark Daigneault has them playing a style of positionless basketball that makes life miserable for opposing coaches. They force turnovers, they run, and they have shooters like Isaiah Joe who can blow a game open in three minutes.
Key Matchup: The Perimeter Battle
When LA Clippers vs OKC Thunder tips off, the game is usually won or lost on the perimeter.
- SGA vs. The Clippers' Defense: How do you stop a guy who gets to the free-throw line 10+ times a game? Usually, the Clippers try to throw size at him, but Shai is too shifty.
- Harden’s Gravity: If the Thunder let Harden get into a rhythm where he’s hitting step-back threes, it opens up everything for Ivica Zubac inside.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re looking at the standings, the Clippers are currently in a fight for their lives to stay in that top 10. Every game against a top-tier team like OKC is a "measuring stick" game. Can they actually compete with the elite, or are they just beating up on the bottom feeders?
Actionable Insights for Fans:
📖 Related: Why an aerial view Augusta National perspective changes how you see the Masters
- Monitor the Injury Report: Kawhi Leonard’s availability changes the entire betting line. If he’s out, the Thunder usually cover the spread easily.
- Watch the Turnovers: The Thunder lead the league in points off turnovers. If the Clippers (specifically Harden) are sloppy with the ball, this becomes a blowout fast.
- Check the Seeding: As of late January, OKC is comfortably at the top, but the Clippers are only a few games back from the 7th or 8th seed. Avoiding the play-in is their ultimate goal.
The narrative of these two teams will always be linked by that 2019 trade. While OKC clearly won the deal in the long run, the Clippers are proving that they aren't ready to fade into irrelevance just yet.
To keep up with the latest shifts in the Western Conference, keep an eye on the official NBA injury reports and the daily standings updates, as the gap between the 6th and 10th seeds is currently razor-thin.