NBA Playoffs: Warriors Could Finish 8th Seed After Suns Fall Prey To Shorthanded Clippers

As the NBA postseason is just days away, the final few regular season games just got intense. Tonight, the 10th-seeding Golden State Warriors decimated the 9th-seeding LA Lakers with their outstanding shooting display. On the other hand, the eighth-seeding Sacramento Kings fell short against the LA Clippers. These game results gave rise to a possibility for the Dubs to finish 8th before the playoff, which will save them from taking the court for the knockout game.

Currently, the Dubs have three games left in the season compared to the Lakers’ two games. With tonight’s victory, the Warriors took control of reaching the 9th seed themselves. If they win the next three games, the Bay Area side would reach the 9th spot regardless of the results of the next two Lakers games.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry & Co. also has a clear path to clinch the eighth seed. However, to make it work, the Dubs need to rely on a few game results. From the sixth seed to the 10th seed, the West table is currently stacked with similar records and three of the teams still have the chance to have a go at the safe sixth spot. Amid these equations, the Dubs would require the Phoenix Suns or New Orleans Pelicans to lose all three remaining games or the Sac Town to lose two of their upcoming games, to reach the 8th seed.

Western Conference Table – 5th seed – 10th seed – Tuesday 09/04/24

After the introduction of the Play-in tournament, the teams finishing 9th and 10th seed also have a chance at the ring. The only condition is, they both have to face each other in a knockout game. The winner of the game will face another knockout game against the loser of the clash between the 7th and 8th seeds for the play-off entry ticket. And, the Dubs have a chance to evade their first knockout game.

How can the Warriors clinch the 8th seed?

The Sacramento Kings have three games left in their tank and will face the Pelicans, Suns, and the Trail Blazers. If the Kings win two of their games and lose one and the Lakers win their remaining two games, even then the Kings will be above the Lakers because of head-to-head.

On the other hand, the Warriors can reach the 9th spot simply by winning the next three games against the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, and Jazz. However, to reach the 8th seed, either the Suns or the Pelicans should lose their next three games. Suns have their games scheduled against the Clippers, Kings, and Timberwolves. Tonight, the Suns fell prey to the short-handed Clippers without Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

If the Suns meet the Clippers again tomorrow at the Crypto.com Arena. If the home side produces a similar magic tomorrow then the Warriors will be one step closer to the 8th seed. Similarly, the Kings are hungry for a win and the top-seeding Wolves are in prime form. So, the Dubs have a clear route to the 8th seed, if the Suns fall short in the next three games.

The sixth-seeding Pelicans have their next three games against the Kings, Warriors, and Lakers. Since all the teams are in dire need of a win, it could be anyone’s game. What do you make of the equation? Let us know in the comments.

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