As the dust settles on the regular season, the NBA playoff bracket and play-in tournament field have begun to crystallize. The Oklahoma City Thunder made a statement by clinching the top spot in the Western Conference, outshining the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In a significant shift, Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns rose to the sixth spot, while the New Orleans Pelicans dropped to seventh after the Suns’ victory and the Los Angeles Lakers’ road triumph against them. LeBron James’ Lakers, with their hard-fought victory, secured the eighth seed in the West.
The Western Conference standings now line up with Oklahoma City at first, followed by Denver, Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers at No. 4, Dallas at No. 6, Phoenix at No. 7, the Lakers at No. 8, Sacramento at No. 9, New Orleans at No. 7, and Golden State at No. 10, according to the NBA website.
NBA Playoffs Story Unfolds on the Final Day
In the first-round series in the West, matchups include the Timberwolves facing off against the Suns and the Clippers against the Mavericks.
The winner of the Pelicans vs. Lakers play-in game will advance to challenge the Nuggets. Meanwhile, the play-in winner between the Kings and Warriors will take on the loser of the Pelicans-Lakers match for a shot at the playoffs.
Two standout performances shaped the Western Conference standings, with the Suns stunning the Timberwolves with a 125-106 victory in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Lakers asserted their dominance with a 124-108 win over the Pelicans, securing their play-in spot.
The Lakers’ Tuesday matchup against the Warriors in San Francisco was set to be crucial, but their victory over the Pelicans eased the pressure.
Now, they have two chances to advance to the postseason in the play-in games. Despite concerns over back pain, all-star forward Anthony Davis plans to take the court on Tuesday.
In another play-in matchup, the Sacramento Kings earned the right to host the Warriors after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 121-82.
Golden State made the strategic decision to rest Draymond Green and Stephen Curry in preparation for the play-in round. Curry’s heroic 50-point performance in a Game 7 victory against the Kings last year looms large as they gear up for another postseason showdown.