OKLAHOMA CITY (AFP) - The San Antonio Spurs, hitting their stride as the play-offs arrive, dealt Oklahoma City a crushing 113-88 defeat on Tuesday in another blow to the Thunder's post-season hopes.

Kawhi Leonard poured in 26 points in just 24 minutes for the defending NBA champions Spurs who dominated from start to finish.

The Thunder endured their fourth straight defeat and fell out of the eighth and final Western Conference play-off spot.

They fell one half-game behind New Orleans in the race for the eighth seed after the Pelicans defeated Golden State 103-100 on Tuesday.

The good news for Oklahoma City as they battle for a play-off berth is that three of their last four games of the regular season are against teams with losing records: Sacramento, Indiana and Minnesota.