The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched a coveted playoff berth in the Western Conference play-in tournament after a hard-fought victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers secured their place in the postseason, setting the stage for an exciting rematch against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers have been one of the NBA’s hottest teams since the beginning of February, winning 21 of their last 31 games. Despite their surge, they entered the final week of the NBA season as the West’s ninth seed. However, their determination paid off, and they clinched a spot in the play-in tournament.
As the regular season winds down, the Lakers find themselves locked into the play-in tournament. Their seeding possibilities range from seventh to tenth in the Western Conference. Here’s a breakdown of their scenarios:
Eighth Seed: If the Lakers finish eighth, they would need to win just one game in the play-in tournament to advance to the NBA playoffs.
Tiebreakers: The Lakers’ path to the eighth seed depends on how they close the season, considering their head-to-head tiebreakers with the Kings and Warriors.
If the season ended today, the Lakers would travel to face the **Phoenix Suns** in the play-in tournament. A crucial matchup awaits as they battle for a higher seed.
Regardless of their play-in tournament standing, the Lakers will face one of the following teams in the first round of the NBA playoffs:
Minnesota Timberwolves
Denver Nuggets
Oklahoma City Thunder
The West’s top three seeds—Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Kings—are currently tied in the standings. With a play-in tournament victory, the Lakers could finish seventh or eighth, setting up a showdown with one of the top two seeds.
The Lakers’ journey continues as they aim to replicate their 2023 run from the play-in tournament to the Western Conference Finals. With LeBron and AD leading the charge, the Lakers are ready to make their mark in the postseason once again. The rematch against the Nuggets promises high stakes and intense basketball as they battle for supremacy.
