The playoffs are nearly upon us, but there are still a few things that need to be ironed out when it comes to seeding.
The Eastern Conference is locked up and finished. We know who will be in the play-in tournament and where everyone stands in the standings. But the west? Whew. Y’all. That’s an entirely different story.
The Western Conference — for the first time in over two decades — was the weaker of the two conferences in the NBA. The parity was certainly there. The 4 through 12 seeds have been jockeying for position for most of the year.
The teams are still not done. And it has come down to the final weekend of the regular season. Here’s everything you should be paying attention to for the Western Conference playoff picture.
Let’s take a look at where things stand as of Saturday afternoon and see what the possibilities are.
No. 5 seed: The Warriors
Where Golden State stands: The Warriors might have the most variance in places the team could land.
With another win in its final remaining game against the Trail Blazers, Golden State could lock itself into a spot no worse than 6th in the west. If the Clippers beat the Suns, the Warriors fall from 5 to 6. But none of the Lakers, Timberwolves, Pelicans or Thunder could catch Golden State in the standings.
But should the Warriors lose in the team’s last game against the Trail Blazers, Golden State could hit the play-in tournament because both the Pelicans and Lakers hold tiebreakers over Golden State.
Remaining schedule: @ POR
No. 6 seed: Clippers
Where LAC stands: As complicated as the Warriors’ path to avoid the play-in is, the Clippers might have the most simple one because of tiebreakers over both the Lakers and Warriors.
If LA wins its final two games, the team is locked in for the 5th seed with a tiebreaker over the Warriors. The Clippers sit a half-game behind Golden State in the standings currently. If it splits its final two games, the Clippers will be 6th. If the Clippers were to lose both, it could fall to 7th if New Orleans wins its last game against the Timberwolves. The Clippers will be no worse than 7th.
Remaining schedule: vs. POR, @ PHX
Remaining schedule: @
No. 7 seed: Lakers
Where LAL stands: The Lakers are locked in as at least 9th in the conference. Currently, LA is the 7th seed. To get out of the play-in the Lakers will need a lot of help.
First, the Lakers have to beat the Jazz in the final game of the season on Sunday. But LA will also need the Warriors to lose to the Trail Blazers or the Clippers to drop both of their remaining games. If the Clippers win one game and the Warriors win out, the Lakers are locked in at 7 and trapped in the play-in.
Remaining schedule: vs. UTAH
No. 8 seed: Pelicans
Where NO stands: The Pelicans could jump as high as 5th in the standings but the team will need lots of help. The Clippers, Warriors and Lakers would have to lose all of their remaining games for that to happen. If the Pelicans win, the Lakers lose, the Warriors lose and the Clippers win out, New Orleans could also move into the 6th spot.
What is most likely to happen is that the Pelicans stay in the play-in tournament considering that both the Lakers have the tiebreaker over New Orleans.
Remaining schedule: @ MIN
No. 9 seed: Timberwolves
Where MIN stands: The Timberwolves can jump up to as high as 6th in the standings with a win over the Pelicans, but it requires a bunch of help.
Minnesota owns the tiebreakers over both the Lakers and Clippers. If both teams were to lose their remaining games on schedule and the Wolves win, Minnesota would make a massive jump.
Regardless, if the Wolves beat the Pelicans Minnesota moves up to 8 and no longer has to host the 9-10 play-in matchup. Instead, the team goes on the road to play the 7 seed.
Remaining schedule: vs. NO
No. 10 seed: Thunder
Where OKC stands: The Thunder have an uphill battle, but Oklahoma City has made the play-in at the bare minimum. With Dallas’ loss to the Bulls on Friday, OKC is locked in as the 10 seed in the West.
Remaining schedule: vs. MEM
