The NBA playoffs are still a full month away, but the Boston Celtics are on the verge of punching their official postseason ticket. The defending champions can lock in a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference Friday night.

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs after beating the Boston Celtics 118-112 Wednesday in a thrilling game defined by physicality and Boston’s unrelenting dedication to shooting the 3, setting a franchise record with 63 attempts.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 34 and Chet Holmgren had 23 points and 15 rebounds to help the Thunder clinch a playoff berth by beating the Celtics 118-112 on Wednesday night.

Tyler Herro has emerged as Miami's leading scorer, and the Heat guard will thrive against a banged-up Celtics roster.

Oklahoma City’s 53-12 record is the best in the NBA, and it has an 11-game lead for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. This is the final game on the Celtics’ seven-game homestand, including other marquee matchups with the Cavaliers (loss) and Lakers (win).