If there are still any doubts about the Western Conference being a volatile race, just ask the Golden State Warriors. Every result mattered to them. So once they lost back-to-back games, they knew their position as the sixth seed was up for the taking. The Los Angeles Clippers swooped in tonight to now put the pressure back on the Bay.

Facing off against a star-studded New York Knicks, the Clippers pulled off an incredible 13-point win. Kawhi Leonard’s run in rich form continued as he dropped 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win. It marked their 41st win of the season and tied their record with the Warriors. So why are they above their rivals? Because the season series belongs to them. The Warriors and the Clippers have faced off thrice. Not once have Stephen Curry and Co. managed to beat the LA side.

You know what this means right?

Essentially, if we assume the Clippers and the Warriors win the remainder of their games, there still won’t be a change in the standing. There could always be a chance that the teams above them, who are the Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers slip up. But the Purple and Gold claimed a pivotal win tonight, thanks to a LeBron James putback at the buzzer against the Indiana Pacers.

They are now the fourth seed tied in record with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the win gave them more than just a higher seeding. It puts them three games clear of the Golden State Warriors as well as the Clippers. With 10 games remaining and a roster that has been ravishing when healthy, the chances of them falling apart this close to the postseason are minute.

On the other hand, that’s where the Warriors are struggling at the moment. Stephen Curry hasn’t played in their last two games due to a pelvic contusion injury. In both instances, the Bay’s offense hasn’t looked the same without their decorated cornerstone. So obviously the question is, when does he return?

The Warriors anxiously await news on Stephen Curry

If it were up to Stephen Curry, he would have probably been on the floor when facing the Miami Heat. It was a highly emotional atmosphere with Jimmy Butler’s return to the city after his sour exit. And Curry tried his hardest but Steve Kerr revealed he didn’t “just quite feel right” after practice on Monday.

Luckily, though, that has allowed Stephen Curry to get some much-needed rest. The Warriors don’t play until Friday. And the head coach has admitted there is a high chance that the Warriors talisman returns to action when they face the New Orleans Pelicans. Although a low-table opposition, a lot rides on the outcome of that game.

In fact, that’s going to be the case for every Warriors game going forward. They don’t really have the luxury of losing games anymore. Another loss could weaken their position in comparison to the Clippers. A positive though is that the James Harden-led side is also feeling the same pressure.

And an important showdown could decide the fates of both teams if it comes down to the wire.

If both teams win the same number of games from here on out, expect their last regular season games to carry a playoff atmosphere. The Warriors face the Clippers in their last regular season matchup. On that day, there will be one winner and one loser. It could be a fairytale finish to the season. One team will be reeling in elation while the other will have to prepare for an extended run for the potential to make the playoffs.

The cruel nature of the league could be on full display. But for the Golden State Warriors, their mindset needs to be to win every single game from here onwards. The most games they have on a trot this season was 7 which they achieved only a week prior to Curry’s injury. So not only does he need to be sensational when he returns, but the Warriors need to bind as a team to aim for something unprecedented this season.