Warriors become fastest team ever to clinch NBA playoff spot

The Golden State Warriors became the fastest team ever to clinch a NBA playoff spot Saturday night thanks to the Houston Rockets losing to the San Antonio Spurs. The previous record was set by the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, who clinched a postseason berth on Feb. 28, 1986.

That Celtics squad featured Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, finishing with a 67-15 record en route to winning the NBA championship. Last season, the Atlanta Hawks were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, on March 3.

The Rockets' defeat clinched the playoff spot for the Warriors while they were still in the midst of a wild 121-118 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. After Saturday's game, the Dubs sit at 53-5 on the season, still in hot pursuit of the NBA record of 72 regular-season wins, set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.