OKC Thunder: Top 10 moments of 2009-2010 season

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 111-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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The clinch

The Oklahoma City Thunder clinched a Playoff spot for the first time on April 3, 2010. As if going from 23 wins to the Playoffs wasn’t impressive enough, the fact that they managed to make the post-season in this particular year is made even more special by how incredibly competitive the Western Conference standings were that year.

The young Thunder needed 50 wins to earn the eight-seed, which tied the 2007-2008 Denver Nuggets for the most wins ever needed to earn that spot. They increased their win total from the previous year by 27 games – one of the largest increases in NBA history without a major roster change.

Unfortunately, all video highlights of their clinching victory over the Dallas Mavericks seem to have been purged from the internet. The most note-worthy statistic is Nick Collison pitching in 17 points off the bench.

The only documentation of this having been the clinching victory was this article from The Oklahoman.

Appropriately, Loud City met the team at the airport. That tradition has held strong.

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