NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Standings Shakeup as Thunder Secures No.1 Seed
Following the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday, the NBA playoff bracket and play-in tournament field began to take shape. The Oklahoma City Thunder claimed the top spot in the Western Conference after dominating the Dallas Mavericks, surpassing the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished second and third respectively. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant, moved up to the sixth spot, while the New Orleans Pelicans dropped to seventh after the Suns’ victory and a road win by the Los Angeles Lakers against them. LeBron James’ Lakers secured the eighth seed with their victory.

At the close of the season, the Western Conference standings are as follows: Oklahoma City Thunder leads the pack, followed by the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks. The Phoenix Suns secure the sixth spot, with the Los Angeles Lakers at eighth, Sacramento Kings at ninth, New Orleans Pelicans at seventh, and Golden State Warriors at tenth, according to the NBA website.

In the Western Conference’s first-round series, we’ll see matchups between the Timberwolves and Suns, as well as the Clippers and Mavericks. The winner of the Pelicans vs. Lakers play-in game will face the Nuggets, with the victor progressing to face the Thunder in the first round. Additionally, the winner of the Kings vs. Warriors play-in game will challenge the loser of the Pelicans vs. Lakers matchup.

NBA Playoffs Story Unfolds on the Final Day

Two notable outcomes in the Western Conference saw the Phoenix Suns secure a 125-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, sealing their spot in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched a 124-108 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, bolstering their position in the playoff race.

The Lakers’ Tuesday showdown with the Warriors in San Francisco would have been pivotal had they lost to the Pelicans. However, with two chances to secure a postseason berth through a play-in game, they have some breathing room. Despite Anthony Davis exiting early in Sunday’s game due to back pain, he intends to play on Tuesday.

Following their convincing 121-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the Kings earned the right to host the Warriors in the play-in game between the West’s ninth and tenth seeds on Tuesday. Opting to rest Draymond Green and Stephen Curry during the season finale, the Warriors are preparing for the play-in round. Last year, Curry’s remarkable 50-point performance in Game 7 propelled the Warriors past the Kings in the first round of the playoffs.