Warriors clinch NBA playoff spot with 6 weeks to spare

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with teammate Anderson Varejao, right, after hitting the game-winning shot in overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. Golden State won 121-118. (AP / Sue Ogrocki)

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors clinched a playoff spot with more than six weeks to spare.

The defending NBA champions wrapped up a berth when the Houston Rockets lost Saturday night to the San Antonio Spurs. That assured the Warriors will finish among the top eight teams in the Western Conference.

A spokesman for the Warriors said they are the first team since the 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers to secure a trip to the post-season before the end of February. The Boston Celtics clinched a playoff spot by Feb. 24 in 1985, and by Feb. 26 the following year, according to STATS.

About an hour after the Rockets lost, Golden State improved to 53-5 -- the best start in league history -- when Curry hit a 3-pointer from well beyond 30 feet with 0.6 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Warriors a thrilling 121-118 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Curry had 46 points and his winning shot was his 12th 3-pointer, tying the NBA single-game record. The reigning MVP also broke his own record for 3s in a season, leaving the new mark at 288.

Golden State has 24 regular-season games remaining.