NBA playoffs 2023: West goes right down to the wire with Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and LA Lakers
When comparing the Eastern Conference with the Western Conference seedings for the NBA playoffs, it's easy to see the difference. Most seeds in the East are already secured, while teams in the West are neck-and-neck in the standings.
With different implications for the NBA playoffs, the final regular season game for the Golden State Warriors, the LA Clippers, and the LA Lakers will be an important deciding factor in playoff seedings.
The LA Clippers (43-38) are fifth in the standings with a potential head-to-head matchup against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (45-36) in the first-round of the playoffs. The Clippers can secure the fifth seed with a victory against a depleted Suns team in the final game of the regular season.
However, if they lose to the Suns, the Golden State Warriors could snatch the fifth seed from them in a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (33-48). The Clippers, meanwhile, will fall to the sixth seed and will be in a first-round series against the Sacramento Kings (48-33).
The LA Clippers could find themselves as low as seventh in the standings and a spot in the Play-in Tournament. This will be in the scenario where they drop the ball game against the Suns along with the New Orleans Pelicans (42-39) and the Golden State Warriors secure victories in their respective ball games.
While for the Golden State Warriors (43-38), on the other hand, they simply have to win against the Trail Blazers and secure the sixth seed. They could move up in the standings as the fifth seed if the Clippers lose to the Suns.
As the fifth seed, they face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the NBA playoffs but as the sixth seed, they face the Sacramento Kings.
However, the Warriors could find themselves seventh in the standings if they lose to the Trail Blazers and the Lakers end up winning against the Utah Jazz. They could even fall as low as eighth in the standings if they fail to secure a win against the Trail Blazers, along with the Pelicans and the Lakers winning their respective matchups.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers (42-39) are seventh in the standings. They have a shot at securing their spot in the Play-in Tournament against the Utah Jazz (37-44) as their final regular season game. They can secure the seventh seed for the NBA playoffs if they win their matchup at the tournament.
If the seventh seed is secured, the Lakers will go head-to-head against second seed Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs. However, the Lakers could move up in the standings as the sixth seed with a win against the Utah Jazz and if the Golden State Warriors fail to secure a victory.
Possible matchups in the NBA playoffs for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and LA Clippers
The NBA playoffs in the Western Conference have always been iconic, either because of the electric competition or the number of All-Stars involved.
If the LA Clippers secure the fifth seed, they will be looking at an elite Superstars matchup with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker playing for the Phoenix Suns. It will be along with Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook for the LA Clippers. Unfortunately, the Clippers will be without Paul George due to his injury and will only be available in the playoffs should the Clippers advance past the first-round.
If the Golden State Warriors secure the sixth seed, a matchup against the Sacramento Kings will boast of some high-power offenses from both teams. The Warriors have the "Splash Brothers" in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, while the Kings boast De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Kevin Huerter on offense.
While for the Los Angeles Lakers, if they secure the seventh seed, they will be in a first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. The matchup boasts a star-studded lineup of players from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.