There's one week left in the season, with countless possibilities surrounding the NBA Western Conference playoff seedings; the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings have all secured their position, but there are still six spots up for grabs. Who will claim them?
Thursday 6 April 2023 08:29, UK
There's just one week left in the 2022-23 NBA season, with countless possibilities regarding the Western Conference playoff seeding. While the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings have all secured their position, there are still six spots up for grabs.
The sides that finish 4th, 5th and 6th will advance directly to the playoffs, with those between 7th-10th competing in a play-in tournament for the final two spots in the post-season.
If two teams finish with the same record, their position will be determined by a tiebreaker, the first of which is the head-to-head record between the sides.
So, how will it all look when the dust settles?
Current position: 4th
Season win/loss record: 44-35
Kevin Durant's back, the 4th seed seems to be locked down, and the future is looking bright for the Phoenix Suns, at the very least from owner Mat Ishbia's perspective.
The man he flew in from New York in the early hours of February's trade deadline is back on the court and showing exactly what those hours of missed sleep bought: A chance to pave the way for a deep playoff run.
The former MVP is averaging a ridiculous 26.7 points on 69 per cent shooting in his last three games. He made his home debut last Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves and notched another 16 points.
Remaining fixtures: Nuggets (H) - April 7*, Lakers (A) - April 8, Clippers (H) - April 9*. *Live on Sky Sports
Current position: 5th
Season win/loss record: 42-38
The Clippers are currently 5th seed, and most are projecting them to hold on to a playoff spot despite Paul George's injury status.
Their star guard will be missing for at least the remainder of the regular season as he nurses himself back to health following a knee sprain. Although he won't require surgery, it's possible the 32-year-old may not be around for the first round of the playoffs.
In his absence, Kawhi Leonard's contributions have been immense. Most notably he delivered a monstrous performance against the Thunder, racking up 32 points on 13-of-15 shooting.
Will it be enough to keep them afloat while George recuperates? The previous Sunday's defeat to the Pelicans provided us with an insight into their fatal flaw: Roster depth.
With no tiebreakers to hand, the remaining fixtures will be must-win games. The Leonard of old may be needed if the Clippers are to power their way through.
Remaining fixtures: Blazers (H) - April 8, Suns (A) - April 9*. *Live on Sky Sports
Current position: 6th
Season win/loss record: 42-38
The Warriors have hardly been a picture of consistency this season. They keep bouncing from 6th to 7th, down to 8th, and then back up - a telling sign of just how competitive the latter portion of the playoff race is proving to be.
With a unconvincing win against the surging Pelicans already in the bank and the four-time NBA Championship-winning 'Splash Brothers' of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson in their element, they should be able to keep their rivals at bay.
Remaining fixtures: Kings (A) - April 8, Blazers (A) - April 9.
Current position: 7th
Season win/loss record: 41-39
When LeBron James is in the mix, it's never too late, right?
Lakers fans will tell you as much. The 38-year-old has taken no time in dusting himself off and getting back into the thick of things alongside the spellbinding Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis.
But at this stage of the season, results are what matter. When the Lakers saw a three-game winning streak halted in a disappointing defeat to the Chicago Bulls, they shot themselves in the foot.
They had won their last three games since that loss, beating the Bulls, Timberwolves and Rockets, but then capitulated to the Clippers.
All eyes now turn to the remaining two fixtures.
Remaining fixtures: Suns (H) - April 8, Jazz (H) - April 9.
Current position: 8th
Season win/loss record: 41-39
The Pelicans are in the mood - not the kind that can be easily tempered.
A five-game winning streak vaulting you back into the thick of the playoff conversation can certainly do that.
Currently sitting in eighth place, with three of their four remaining games at home, they could still make a late run at securing sixth place and avoiding the play-in tournament.
Remaining fixtures: April 6, Knicks (H) - April 8, Timberwolves (A) - April 9. *Live on Sky Sports
Current position: 9th
Season win/loss record: 40-40
The Timberwolves' season finally looks to have clicked with the return of Karl Anthony-Towns.
Five months on from his calf injury, 'KAT' has slotted back into the action as if he's been simmering away on the side-lines, acting as the glue during an impressive run of form.
While it may seem implausible that the Wolves will plod forward without any hiccups, it's clear that they're in a far better position than most of the teams in the West.
They own tiebreakers over their rivals who have attempted and failed to usurp them in the standings. The upcoming clashes with the San Antonio Spurs and the Pelicans are theirs to lose.
Remaining fixtures: Spurs (A) - April 8, Pelicans (H) - April 9.
Current position: 10th
Season win/loss record: 38-42
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves a place in the playoff conversation, just as he deserved a place in the All-Star roster. He made it to the latter with impressive ease, but the former might take more elbow grease.
The Thunder have a one-game lead over the Mavericks who sit in 11th position in the West, and they haven't had much in the way of support for 'SGA', until the recent rise of Jalen Williams.
The rookie showcased his dazzling skills against the Detroit Pistons last Wednesday, finishing with a game-high 27 points and securing the buzzer-beating shot.
He's scored at least 20 points in his last three games, including a 31-point performance in Tuesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets. They'll need him to carry on that form alongside Gilgeous-Alexander if they are to keep the Mavs at arms-length.
Remaining fixtures: Jazz (A) - April 7, Grizzlies (H) - April 9.
Current position: 11th
Season win/loss record: 38-42
The Mavericks are keeping their playoff hopes alive by matching the Thunder in the win/loss column, but it's hard to fathom that the two best frontcourt attackers in the league - Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving - could miss out on the postseason action this year.
Although the pair have excelled individually since that trade was made to bring Irving to Dallas, Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith - who joined the Brooklyn Nets as part of that deal - are in a much better position than Irving.
Bar an absolutely devastating spell of scoring from Doncic, it seems it might be curtains for the Mavs.
Remaining fixtures: Bulls (H) - April 8, Spurs (H) - April 9. *live on Sky Sports
