5 most important games for the Thunder down the stretch

The Oklahoma City Thunder can start worrying about playoff seeding. Here are the most important games for them down the stretch.

(Photo: Rob Ferguson/USA TODAY Sports)

March 3: Home against the Los Angeles Clippers

Coming off a historically bad loss to the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks, the Thunder can right the ship against another title contender in the Clippers. The Thunder will open March with their first test against the Clippers’ new look that includes trade deadline and buyout players Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson.

As the Clippers have days off Monday and Wednesday and then two more Friday and Saturday, the Thunder might see both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the first time.

Los Angeles is 21-7 when both star wings are in the lineup and 20-12 when one or both is out.

Leonard missed both matchups so far against the Thunder. There’s a chance Oklahoma City faces this Clippers team in the playoffs – and it could be as early as the first round — so getting a taste against the fully-stocked Clippers team now will help should that time come.