Thunder secure final play-in spot after Mavs knocked out of race

The Dallas Mavericks were eliminated from playoff contention after blowing a 15-point lead and losing to the Chicago Bulls 115-112 on Friday night.

With Dallas' loss, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a spot in the play-in round, their first postseason berth since the 2019-20 season.

The Mavericks were without Kyrie Irving, Christian Wood, and Tim Hardaway for the contest, while star Luka Doncic left by design at the end of the first quarter.

Dallas could've claimed the No. 10 seed if it won its final two games and the Thunder lost on Sunday to the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the team also had a rooting interest in a loss. The Mavericks will lose their first-round draft pick if they fall out of the top 10. Missing the play-in tournament nearly ensures they retain the pick, as long as one of picks 11 through 14 doesn't land in the top three in the lottery.

Dallas held the West's No. 3 seed just under halfway through the campaign and traded for eight-time All-Star Irving in hopes of making another playoff push with Doncic leading the show. Instead, it now has many questions to answer about the future of the roster.

Meanwhile, the Thunder were expected to continue their multi-year rebuild this season, especially with the offseason news that No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren would miss the entire campaign due to a foot injury. Instead, behind the superstar breakout of guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team will have the opportunity to play its way into a playoff spot.