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NBA Western Conference Odds 2026: Thunder on a Historic Pace

Updated: May 18, 2026, 10:46 AM ET
7 min read

The NBA Western Conference Champion is a title awarded to the team that wins the Western Conference Finals, the third and penultimate round of the NBA Playoffs. It is played as a best-of-seven series between the two remaining Western Conference teams in the playoffs.

The winner advances to the NBA Finals to face the Eastern Conference Champion, a milestone that heavily influences the overall NBA Championship odds. Along with tracking which team will advance, bettors are also keeping a close eye on the NBA Western Conference Finals MVP odds to see which star player will lead their squad to victory.

Let's jump into the latest odds for the NBA Western Conference Winner.

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NBA Western Conference Odds

The latest odds for the NBA Western Conference can be found in the table below. Check our curated list of the best NBA betting sites available on the market today, and snag some of the latest NBA betting promos along the way.

TeamBetMGM OddsCaesars Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder-250-235
San Antonio Spurs+200+195
Odds are accurate as of the time of publishing and are subject to change.

NBA Western Conference Winner - My Pick

As the playoffs begin, here is my betting pick on which team will successfully navigate the West's grueling gauntlet to secure a spot in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City Thunder (-235) at Caesars Sportsbook

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top candidates to win the 2026 NBA Western Conference because they are an unstoppable juggernaut seamlessly blending recent championship experience with elite, deep talent. Fresh off their 2025 NBA Title, the Thunder dominated the regular season with a stellar 64-18 record and have been absolutely flawless in the current postseason, sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers to enter the Western Conference Finals with a pristine 8-0 record.

Their relentless success is driven by superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just captured his second consecutive MVP award, alongside Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Chet Holmgren anchoring a suffocating defense. Furthermore, with the timely return of standout forward Jalen Williams from a hamstring injury to a rotation that already boasts incredible depth, head coach Mark Daigneault’s squad has the perfect combination of elite star power, two-way dominance, and battle-tested momentum to overpower Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs and punch their ticket back to the NBA Finals.

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NBA Western Conference Odds Predictions

NBA Western Conference Winner History

The Western Conference remains the stronger of the two, making it far more difficult to pick a winner. While the Thunder enter the season as a heavy favorite to repeat, no team has posted back-to-back conference wins since the Warriors dynasty ended in 2018.

Below are the previous ten winners of the NBA Western Conference.

YearNBA Western Conference Winner
2024-25Oklahoma City Thunder
2023-24Boston Celtics
2022-23Denver Nuggets
2021-22Golden State Warriors
2020-21Milwaukee Bucks
2019-20Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19Toronto Raptors
2017-18Golden State Warriors
2016-17Golden State Warriors
2015-16Cleveland Cavaliers 

NBA Western Conference Standings

Here are the final standings for the Western Conference from the 2025/2026 NBA regular season.

SeedTeamWLPCTGB
1Oklahoma City Thunder6418.780
2San Antonio Spurs6220.7562.0
3Denver Nuggets5428.65910.0
4Los Angeles Lakers5329.64611.0
5Houston Rockets5230.63412.0
6Minnesota Timberwolves4933.59815.0
7Phoenix Suns4537.54919.0
8Portland Trail Blazers4240.51222.0
9LA Clippers4240.51222.0
10Golden State Warriors3745.45127.0
11New Orleans Pelicans2656.31738.0
12Dallas Mavericks2656.31738.0
13Memphis Grizzlies2557.30539.0
14Sacramento Kings2260.26842.0
15Utah Jazz2260.26842.0

NBA Western Conference Winner History

The Western Conference remains the stronger of the two, making it far more difficult to pick a winner. While the Thunder enter the season as a heavy favorite to repeat, no team has posted back-to-back conference wins since the Warriors dynasty ended in 2018.

Below are the previous ten winners of the NBA Western Conference.

YearNBA Western Conference Winner
2024-25Oklahoma City Thunder
2023-24Boston Celtics
2022-23Denver Nuggets
2021-22Golden State Warriors
2020-21Milwaukee Bucks
2019-20Los Angeles Lakers
2018-19Toronto Raptors
2017-18Golden State Warriors
2016-17Golden State Warriors
2015-16Cleveland Cavaliers 

How to Bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner

Wagering on the NBA’s Western Conference winner is easy for experienced bettors, but can prove challenging for new ones. If you are struggling to figure out how to bet on this year’s winner, we have you covered!

Start by visiting BetMGM or your favorite sportsbook. Navigate to the NBA page, where there will be a tab labeled “Futures”. Simply scroll down until you see the “2025/26 NBA: Futures” section. You will find odds to win both conferences available there.

We always recommend spending time researching NBA future bets, especially for conference winners. Placing bets early can provide the best odds, but it also makes winning even harder. Spending some time doing your homework will increase your chances of winning and help build better betting habits.

How to Read NBA Western Conference Winner Odds 

Reading the odds for the NBA Western Conference winner works the same as most other wagers, but below is a quick guide to help new bettors get started.

When reading odds from a sportsbook, you’ll see numbers with a (+) or (-) in front of them. The plus sign means that you will win the number after it when betting $100. If the number has a minus sign, you need to bet that amount to win $100. 

If you find the words “EVEN” or “PICK,” it means that no spread is available for that game. This happens when sportsbooks determine a game doesn’t have a clear favorite, leaving bettors with the option of betting on the moneyline. 

Where to Bet on the NBA Western Conference Winner

We prefer to use BetMGM Sportsbook when betting on the NBA Western Conference winner. The Vegas-based gambling giant offers one of the best betting experiences in the industry, bringing Vegas-style betting straight to your phone, tablet, or computer. All new users who sign up with BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS can claim the following welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

Caesars Sportsbook stands out as another premier sportsbook for NBA betting. What you are getting at Caesars are highly competitive odds and an exceptional rewards system. What truly sets Caesars apart is its frequent NBA-specific promotions, such as daily odds boosts, same-game parlay bonuses. All wrapped in a sleek, user-friendly mobile app, these features create a highly rewarding and seamless experience for both casual NBA viewers and seasoned basketball bettors alike. Sign up with our Caesars Sportsbook promo code WSNDYW and claim your bonus: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x.

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NBA Western Conference FAQs

Who was the NBA Western Conference in 2024-25?

How is the NBA Western Conference winner decided?

Which team has won the NBA Western Conference most?

Which team has won the NBA Western Conference least?

What trophy is awarded to the NBA Western Conference Winner?

Michael Savio WSN Contributors

Michael Savio

Sports Betting Analyst

Expertise:
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Michael is an avid sports fan and a veteran bettor from Milwaukee. He learned the trade from his grandfather in Las Vegas as a kid and has turned that into a successful career. He cheers for all Wisconsin pro teams along with his Alma Mater Arizona State. He specializes in baseball betting, but has experience in football, basketball, and hockey as well. When he isn’t pouring over stats, he’s spending time with his two young children.
Email: michael.savio@wsn.com
Nationality: American
Education: Bachelor of Political Science
Favourite Sportsbook: Caesars Sportsbook
Favourite Casino: BetMGM Casino
Experience: 3 years
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