Are the LA Lakers in the 2023 NBA Playoffs? Current status and chances to qualify for playoffs explored
With just 13 games remaining this season, the LA Lakers are still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. However, following their 123-108 win over New Orleans on Tuesday, LA is back in the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers were led by star forward Anthony Davis, who finished with 35 points and 17 rebounds on 61.1% shooting. Following the win, Davis spoke about how crucial it was for LA to secure the victory:
“It was very important for us, just for standing purposes, tiebreaker purposes and then getting back in the win column,” Davis said. "I just wanted to come out ultra-aggressive tonight, knowing how important this game was. Everybody did. We were playing the right way, playing great defensively and sharing the ball offensively, playing together and we were clicking on all cylinders."
The Lakers (34-35, 10th in the West) are now just two games behind the fifth-seeded Golden State Warriors (36-33). However, they are also just three games ahead of the 13th-placed Portland Trail Blazers (31-38).
So even with just 13 games remaining, the Lakers still have a prime opportunity to gain some ground in the standings. Likewise, the team could still slip out of the play-in picture entirely.
LA Lakers’ remaining schedule
As for the LA Lakers’ remaining schedule, it is working in their favor. Nine of LA’s final 13 games will come against teams below .500. This includes two games against Houston, two against Utah, and two against Chicago, as well as matchups with Dallas, Orlando, and OKC.
However, LA remains shorthanded as star forward LeBron James is still out indefinitely with a right foot injury. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is set to miss the upcoming second half of the team’s back-to-back due to injury management for his right foot injury.
The shorthanded Lakers will be taking on Houston (16-52, 15th in the West) on Wednesday night.
Also read: Anthony Davis reflects on not being able to play back-to-backs after being ruled out against Houston: "It's tough... It's still an active injury"