LA Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Picks and Prediction for Sunday October 25 2026

Western Conference foes will tangle on Sunday night, when the LA Clippers visit the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled for October 25, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST and the setting will be the raucous Paycom Center. The Thunder are a  sizable 14.5-point home favorite and the total is set at 221.5. Be ready for all of this season's NBA action with our free NBA picks.

LA Clippers adjusting to life without Kawhi

The LA Clippers missed the playoffs last season and have not won a playoff series since 2021. The Clippers (1-1) traded Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in the offseason in exchange for Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. LA also selected Illinois G Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft. On Friday, the Clippers were outscored by 13 points during the second quarter of a 125-117 loss against the Lakers.  

Darius Garland led five LA players in double figures with 26 points (9-19 FG) and nine assists. Veteran C Brook Lopez scored 22 points on 8-for-9 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench. Derrick Jones Jr. and Rui Hachimura added 16 points apiece for the Clippers. 

Last season, LA ranked tenth in the league in offensive efficiency and averaged 113.8 points per game. On Friday, the Clippers connected on 16-for-37 from the three-point line and shot 49 percent overall. LA turned the ball over an alarming 26 times and was outscored 58-48 in the paint.

Oklahoma City smothering on defense

The Oklahoma City Thunder won an NBA best 64 games last season, but lost to San Antonio in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder (2-0) lost several key rotation players, but selected Michigan C Aday Mara with the 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft to stand up to some of the elite Western Conference big men. On Thursday, Oklahoma City outscored Denver by 16 points during the second half to earn a 96-84 home victory. 

Oklahoma City F Jalen Williams led all scorers with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points (3-11 3 PT) and finished with a game-high plus 21 rating. Chet Holmgren added 12 points (5-9 FG) and 17 rebounds for the Thunder. 

The Thunder have led the league in defensive efficiency in back-to-back seasons and held the Nuggets to 38 percent shooting. Oklahoma City forced 22 turnovers and limited three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to 13 points (5-19 FG). The Thunder allowed just two fast break points and led by as many as 17 points.

LA Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Picks and Prediction

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -14.5

LA is playing without Bradley Beal (knee), Max Strus (foot), Brandon Ingram (Achilles), and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot). The Thunder have reeled off eight straight victories against the Clippers. The average margin of victory in last season’s four meetings was almost 20 points. Take Oklahoma City to win and cover at home.

Pick: Under 221.5

The Clippers are playing at the third slowest tempo and the Thunder ranks 18th in that category. LA has done well against two subpar defenses to start the season, but they are facing the best defense in the league two years running. Oklahoma City will smother LA and they will fail to score 100 points. Take the under.

Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder win 118-97