Image Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

NBA Western Conference Playoff Scenarios – Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers Among Teams Trying To Avoid Play-In in the Race to Postseason

While the postseason scenario is set in the East, things are still as chaotic in the West,

Image Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

With only two days remaining for the conclusion of the 2024-25 regular season, there is a lot that needs to be sorted out. The NBA postseason picture in the Eastern Conference is set, with the Cleveland Cavaliers booking the top spot, the Boston Celtics on the second, and the Miami Heat on the tenth. However, things are as chaotic as they can get in the West.

The OKC Thunder have clinched the top spot in the West, while the Houston Rockets are on the second spot and the Los Angeles Lakers are the newest team to confirm their berth. They secured the third seed by handing a blowout 140-109 loss to the Houston Rockets on Friday, February 11.

Apart from them, a total of three teams, the Grizzlies (47-34), the Kings (39-42), and the Mavs (39-42) have secured the play-in berth. However, the Nuggets, the Clippers, the Warriors and the Wolves are the teams that are in the race of avoiding the Play-In and aiming for a direct spot in the playoffs.

While the Nuggets and the Clippers are tied with the identical record of 49-32, the Warriors and the Wolves are maintaining a record of 48-33. All these teams won their Friday slate of games except the Grizzlies, who slumped to the Nuggets.

Also Read: NBA’s 2024-2025 Most Valuable Player Race: Who Should Win the Award This Season?

Which Team Is Most Likely to Book Play-In Berth?

In their last respective matches for the regular season 2024-25, the Nuggets will lock horns with the Rockets. In case they lose, the Rockets will have a record of 49-33. Similarly, the Clippers will be up against the Warriors, and in case they lose, their tally would read 49-33, which also means that the Dubs’ tally would read 49-33. The Timberwolves are set to clash against the Jazz in their last regular season game, and if they win, again it would be a 49-33 record.

While it is a big possibility, let’s not forget that the Warriors slumped to a lottery team, the San Antonio Spurs in one of their recent matches. If the Spurs can take Stephen Curry and Co. down, the Clippers also hold equal chances of recording an upset.

Moreover, if we look at the possibilities, the Clippers have an 89.0% chance of finishing in the top six per Basketball Reference.com, while the Nuggets have 60.6% chances of making it directly to the playoffs. The Wolves have a solid 78.7% chance, and the Dubs hold the least possibility with 45.3% of making it to the top six. It means that in the next few days, we can see Curry and Jimmy Butler engaging a Play-in clash and going through a tough fight to make it to the playoffs.

Also Read: ‘Eagles, Florida Gators, I Only Root for Winners’ – JJ Redick Gives Hilarious Reply to Reporter’s NFL Team Query!

Denver Nuggets

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Lakers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.