NBA playoffs 2023: Where Warriors stand after Clippers' win vs Blazers
Where Dubs stand in NBA playoff picture after Clippers' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Warriors again fell one spot in the NBA's Western Conference standings Saturday. And if things don't go their way in Sunday's regular-season finales, they could fall into the play-in tournament instead of making the playoffs.
Golden State was the West's No. 5 seed entering Saturday's games after its Friday win over the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. However, after a 136-125 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Clippers (43-38) now own the same record as the Warriors and the tiebreaker because of a better record against Pacific Division teams.
This means, at least for the next 24 hours, the Warriors would be the No. 6 seed in the West if the season ended today. Fortunately for Golden State, it does not, and it also controls its own playoff destiny.
The Warriors visit the Blazers (33-48) in their regular-season finale Sunday at 12:30 p.m. PT, and would be guaranteed a top-six playoff spot with a win, regardless of what the Clippers do against the No. 4 Phoenix Suns (45-36) at the same time. Golden State would be the No. 5 seed with a win and an LA loss, and the No. 6 seed with a win and an LA win.
A Warriors loss, however, could put them in the play-in tournament as the No. 7 or No. 8 seed, depending on how the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans -- both of whom are 42-39 -- fare in their games against the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves, respectively.
Golden State could lose and still make the playoffs if LA and New Orleans also lose. The Warriors don't own the tiebreaker against the Clippers, Lakers or Pelicans, so if all four teams finish with the same record, per ESPN, Golden State would be last and go to the play-in tournament.
Here are the Western Conference standings entering into the final day of the regular season:
1. Denver Nuggets (52-28) -- Clinched playoff spot and No. 1 seed
2. Memphis Grizzlies (51-30) -- Clinched playoff spot and No. 2 seed
3. Sacramento Kings (48-33) -- Clinched playoff spot and No. 3 seed
4. Phoenix Suns (45-36) -- Clinched playoff spot and No. 4 seed
5. Los Angeles Clippers (43-38)
6. Golden State Warriors (43-38)
7. Los Angeles Lakers (42-39)
8. New Orleans Pelicans (42-39)
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (41-40) -- Clinched a play-in spot
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-42) -- Clinched a play-in spot
Eliminated from playoff contention: The Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
