How high can the ninth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers finish in the Western Conference standings, after dropping a winnable game to the tenth-seeded Golden State Warriors (4435) on Tuesday night and falling to a 45-35 record on the year? And how low can they finish? We’ve got you covered.
- LA has just two games left to play, and thus could wrap up its 2023-24 NBA season as good as 47-35, or as bad as 45-37. Los Angeles could still finish as high as the sixth seed, provided they beat the New Orleans Pelicans in their season finale on April 14th (Saturday).
- Nof the other teams in between them (that tally also includes the Sacramento Kings) could finish with a 47-win season for this to happen, aside from the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns, who are currently 46-33.
There’s a decent possibility that the Warriors, winners of eight of their last nine games (and two in a row now), could win out and supersede LA in the standings.
Led by All-Stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James, Los Angeles has looked like a different team since head coach Darvin Ham installed his current first five, comprising guards D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves plus forward Rui Hachimura, around Davis and James.
The team has lost two in a row, however, and Davis missed most of its last two games due to an eye injury. If he isn’t available, it could be anything but smooth sailing for Los Angeles down the home stretch.
