2025 West Play-In Watch

[durden_tyler]

Every year since it started, this was the playoffs within the playoffs that everyone is anticipating-- especially out West were it's more cuthroat and well, usually more than 8 teams are "playoff teams" quality.

With roughly 18 games to go in the regular season for each team, that's true once again and as of today 3.10.25, the playin picture is just as interesting as in previous years because of the mulitude of stars playing possibly in the play-in:

(We'll discuss West only, nobody cares about the East playin. LOL)

If playoffs (playin) started today:

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

*Wolves just half a game behind Warriors for the 6th seed
*Mavericks 2.5 games ahead of the 11th seed Suns

[Mr Puddles]

Every year since it started, this was the playoffs within the playoffs that everyone is anticipating-- especially out West were it's more cuthroat and well, usually more than 8 teams are "playoff teams" quality.

With roughly 18 games to go in the regular season for each team, that's true once again and as of today 3.10.25, the playin picture is just as interesting as in previous years because of the mulitude of stars playing possibly in the play-in:

(We'll discuss West only, nobody cares about the East playin. LOL)

If playoffs (playin) started today:

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

*Wolves just half a game behind Warriors for the 6th seed
*Mavericks 2.5 games ahead of the 11th seed Suns

You're writing this as if the teams in the play-in race in the West haven't all been utter disappointments.

[durden_tyler]

Every year since it started, this was the playoffs within the playoffs that everyone is anticipating-- especially out West were it's more cuthroat and well, usually more than 8 teams are "playoff teams" quality.

With roughly 18 games to go in the regular season for each team, that's true once again and as of today 3.10.25, the playin picture is just as interesting as in previous years because of the mulitude of stars playing possibly in the play-in:

(We'll discuss West only, nobody cares about the East playin. LOL)

If playoffs (playin) started today:

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

*Wolves just half a game behind Warriors for the 6th seed
*Mavericks 2.5 games ahead of the 11th seed Suns

You're writing this as if the teams in the play-in race in the West haven't all been utter disappointments.

True, but that does not mean the East side will ever be as interesting. LOL

[OxAndFox]

The West play in race was stacking up to be a good one. Now the likes of Sacramento and Dallas are relegated to 9/10 with the Suns too far behind...maybe.
So those 3 haven't been up to scratch for different reasons while LAC have done enough to get to the double chance of play in and now it's a race between TWolves, GSW, Houston, Memphis for the final spot.

[MemphisX]

Memphis?

[Mavrelous]

Mavericks clearly need to improve lottery seeding with Kyrie injury, but doesn't seem like it'll happen, today they beat the Spurs, clinched tie breaker with them, they also have tie breaker with POR, so I don't see them jumping these 2 teama, Suns are a mess, doesn't seem like them have it in them to get it.

[giberish]

There looks to be 3 play-in races for the regular season. One between GS and Minny to see who avoids the play-in (maybe some other teams get involve here if both GS and Minny finish strong). One between the Clippers and Sacramento for 8th vs 9th, with the Clippers looking better due to health. Then injured Dallas vs disappointing Phoenix for 10th (maybe Portland makes a run if both fade).

[durden_tyler]

There looks to be 3 play-in races for the regular season. One between GS and Minny to see who avoids the play-in (maybe some other teams get involve here if both GS and Minny finish strong). One between the Clippers and Sacramento for 8th vs 9th, with the Clippers looking better due to health. Then injured Dallas vs disappointing Phoenix for 10th (maybe Portland makes a run if both fade).

i think Lakers fall down into this group (Wolves/Warriors for 6th spot) because of the LeBron injury.

[Sofia]

Every year since it started, this was the playoffs within the playoffs that everyone is anticipating-- especially out West were it's more cuthroat and well, usually more than 8 teams are "playoff teams" quality.

With roughly 18 games to go in the regular season for each team, that's true once again and as of today 3.10.25, the playin picture is just as interesting as in previous years because of the mulitude of stars playing possibly in the play-in:

(We'll discuss West only, nobody cares about the East playin. LOL)

If playoffs (playin) started today:

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

*Wolves just half a game behind Warriors for the 6th seed
*Mavericks 2.5 games ahead of the 11th seed Suns

You're writing this as if the teams in the play-in race in the West haven't all been utter disappointments.

The hard bit about being in the West is playing 52 games against West teams. Aside from Dallas, who will cede the play in spot to the Suns, all those West teams can at least make a competitive first round series.

The Chicago Bums are in the play in out East with a 27-38 record for the 10 seed. The other teams are the Miami whatevers, Orlando Limps, and Atlanta Snore-ks.

Aside from a miracle healthy Orlando, they might as well just forfeit the first round on gentlemen’s agreement, none of them will make for interest series against any of the current top 4 seeds, however they land.

The East playoffs are a snoozer until 2nd round.

[dans1230]

There looks to be 3 play-in races for the regular season. One between GS and Minny to see who avoids the play-in (maybe some other teams get involve here if both GS and Minny finish strong). One between the Clippers and Sacramento for 8th vs 9th, with the Clippers looking better due to health. Then injured Dallas vs disappointing Phoenix for 10th (maybe Portland makes a run if both fade).

i think Lakers fall down into this group (Wolves/Warriors for 6th spot) because of the LeBron injury.

A Luka led Lakers team had better be able to at least play .500 basketball while Lebron is out or we have severely overrated him. That should be enough to keep them in the top 5.

[brackdan70]

PHX, Sac, LAC, GSW all have a tough remaining schedule. T Wolves and Dallas have easier schedules with T Wolves being very easy.
I think GSW, LAC,SAC, Dallas end up as your playin teams in that order.

[brackdan70]

There looks to be 3 play-in races for the regular season. One between GS and Minny to see who avoids the play-in (maybe some other teams get involve here if both GS and Minny finish strong). One between the Clippers and Sacramento for 8th vs 9th, with the Clippers looking better due to health. Then injured Dallas vs disappointing Phoenix for 10th (maybe Portland makes a run if both fade).

i think Lakers fall down into this group (Wolves/Warriors for 6th spot) because of the LeBron injury.

A Luka led Lakers team had better be able to at least play .500 basketball while Lebron is out or we have severely overrated him. That should be enough to keep them in the top 5.

Yeah they are 4.5 up on Minny and 4 up on GSW.
Tough to lose that much ground in 19 games unless they fully fall apart.
They do have a tough remaining schedule though, so I guess it’s possible.

[Godymas]

the Mavs should fall out, they have no business this year trying to do anything.

Which means the Suns should secure the 10 seed, which is what they want because they owe their pick anyways. Still think the Kings will knock them out, though.

But the 9 and 10 seeds will not make the playoffs this year imo. Any of the potential teams that might be the 7/8 seed (so the TWolves, Warriors, Clippers) are a tier above the 9/10 seed this year.

[UcanUwill]

I hope Portland makes it, do not care for any of these teams.

[cupcakesnake]

There looks to be 3 play-in races for the regular season. One between GS and Minny to see who avoids the play-in (maybe some other teams get involve here if both GS and Minny finish strong). One between the Clippers and Sacramento for 8th vs 9th, with the Clippers looking better due to health. Then injured Dallas vs disappointing Phoenix for 10th (maybe Portland makes a run if both fade).

i think Lakers fall down into this group (Wolves/Warriors for 6th spot) because of the LeBron injury.

A Luka led Lakers team had better be able to at least play .500 basketball while Lebron is out or we have severely overrated him. That should be enough to keep them in the top 5.

Sure but it's not just Lebron right now. Lakers are hitting a tough part of their schedule with Lebron and Rui out, while Jaxson Hayes and DFS are day-to-day and missing games.

The Lakers have 4 back to backs left this month, and then 2 more in April. The Lakers got the softest, most gentle schedule in the NBA, and that's a big part of how they were able to survive their difficulties in the first half of the season. The Lakers are probably going to have to pick & choose games they want to try to win, rather than grinding a just recovered Luka through 6 b2b's to end the season. They badly need Lebron to be healthy for the playoffs too, so they aren't rushing him back.

In general, I think the 3/4/5 seeds are something to watch. All those teams are injured, and the current 6/7/8 are healthy with easy schedules. If Lakers, Grizzlies, or Houston struggle, any of them could tumble into the top half of the play-in.

[durden_tyler]

No changes so far we still have

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

The Wolves however are breathing down the Warriors' necks: Golden State is at 37-28 and battle Kings (33-31) tonight and a Warriors' loss there will put Wolves ahead by half a game for the 6th seed.

Exciting times.

[life_saver]

No changes so far we still have

7 Wolves vs 8 Clippers
9 Kings vs 10 Mavericks

The Wolves however are breathing down the Warriors' necks: Golden State is at 37-28 and battle Kings (33-31) tonight and a Warriors' loss there will put Wolves ahead by half a game for the 6th seed.

Exciting times.

Wolves also have by far the most easiest schedule remaining among all Western conference teams...they have only 2 B2Bs remaining, with 1 of those being B2B home games

[Dr Aki]

[Mr Puddles]

Lakers fans have become so used to participating in the play-in that they feel compelled to share team updates in its dedicated thread now?

[Dr Aki]

Lakers fans have become so used to participating in the play-in that they feel compelled to share team updates in its dedicated thread now?

There are a few posters in this thread alone who have proclaimed the Lakers' fall into the playin due to injuries, so this seemed pertinent