NBA Insiders: The Wild West Playoff Race and What Lies Ahead
Apr 7, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
As we approach the thrilling conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the anticipation is palpable. Teams across the league are gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable postseason. The Western Conference, in particular, is a hotbed of competition, with the playoff race tighter than ever. The battle for the Nos. 3 to 8 seeds is a nightly rollercoaster, with teams flip-flopping positions and separated by a mere 1½ games at most.
For those following the action, keep a close eye on the Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Golden State Warriors. These teams are neck and neck, vying for the coveted No. 6 seed to avoid the play-in tournament.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of securing their first top-six seed since the 2019-20 campaign. On the flip side, the Phoenix Suns are teetering on the brink of elimination, desperately trying to catch the Sacramento Kings for a shot at the play-in.
The Western Conference drama is intense, with storylines like Kevin Durant’s future and Stephen Curry’s strategic preferences for the Warriors’ first-round opponents. The final day of the regular season on Sunday could be the decider for many teams.
Here’s what our NBA insiders Michael C. Wright, Brian Windhorst, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim MacMahon, Kevin Pelton, and Zach Kram have to say about this wild West.
What’s next for Ja Morant and the Grizzlies as they fight for home-court advantage under an interim coach?
The Memphis Grizzlies have had a rollercoaster of a season, and the recent win under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo was a significant milestone. Ja Morant’s buzzer-beater capped a 30-point performance against the Miami Heat, marking their first victory under Iisalo. With the regular season winding down, the Grizzlies need to focus on the elements of Iisalo’s system that will best position them for playoff success. Iisalo aims to feature Morant more offensively, but the team must also optimize the talents of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. General manager Zach Kleiman has expressed a desire for “clarity of direction” under Iisalo, and a surprising playoff run could stabilize the situation between the team and Morant following the abrupt firing of Taylor Jenkins. — Michael C. Wright
Which team in the West poses the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder?
The Denver Nuggets, the last Western team to win the NBA title (2023), are poised to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder, who boast the best point differential in league history. Nikola Jokic is a formidable matchup problem, even for a team with 7-foot rim protectors like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Jokic’s performance in Oklahoma City on March 10, where he scored 35 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, and dished out 8 assists, was a testament to his prowess. The Nuggets will need similar production from Jamal Murray to overcome Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense, led by Lu Dort. — Tim MacMahon
What’s next for the Suns if they miss the play-in entirely?
The Phoenix Suns face a daunting scenario if they miss the playoffs with a $400 million payroll, including luxury taxes. The player they need to trade, Bradley Beal, holds a no-trade clause and has publicly stated his control over the situation. Trading Kevin Durant is not the preferred option, but it may be necessary to escape the second apron and gain flexibility. The Suns held trade talks for Durant at the deadline, seeking a massive return. However, Durant’s age and contract demands may limit suitors. The Suns might have to choose between a desirable package and the flexibility they need. The Clippers’ decision to prioritize flexibility over retaining Paul George last summer could serve as a model for the Suns. — Brian Windhorst
What will it take for the Lakers to make an NBA Finals run?
The Los Angeles Lakers need an accommodating draw to make a deep playoff run. With a few games left, they could finish anywhere from No. 3 to No. 8 in the West. Securing a top-six spot would provide a week of preparation and recovery time for injured players like LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Rui Hachimura. Finishing No. 4 or better would grant them home-court advantage, where they have excelled. Coach JJ Redick expressed a desire for a top-four finish to allow the team to stay home and prepare. The Grizzlies would be a favorable matchup, given the Lakers’ past success against them. Alternatively, facing the Clippers would eliminate travel, and Laker Nation could dominate the Intuit Dome. Avoiding Oklahoma City until the conference finals would be ideal, allowing the Lakers to build momentum and confidence. — Dave McMenamin
The team the Warriors should want to avoid in the first round is: _______.
Oklahoma City. The Warriors have worked hard to secure the sixth spot, and falling into the play-in tournament would be a setback. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler III could face a young and athletic Thunder team. Despite their championship pedigree, the Warriors would face a tough matchup against MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. The Thunder’s top defense, led by Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, would challenge Curry. Inside, Holmgren and Hartenstein could trouble the smaller Warriors. Curry’s confidence in a seven-game series is bolstered by Butler’s arrival, but the Warriors would prefer to avoid the league’s best team in the first round. — Ohm Youngmisuk
What’s behind the Timberwolves’ late-season surge, and is it sustainable?
The Minnesota Timberwolves have maintained a top-10 defense all season, but their offense has surged recently. Since March, they’ve had the third-best offense, thanks to hot shooting from Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo. Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle have also improved their efficiency, providing spacing for Anthony Edwards. However, sustaining this level of shooting is unlikely, and the Timberwolves have benefited from a relatively easy schedule. They went 10-1 against sub-.500 teams in March and 3-2 against winning teams. While they look better now, the challenge will be maintaining this form against tougher opponents. — Zach Kram
What do the projections say the likely first-round matchups in the West will be?
With less than a week left in the regular season, the Western Conference playoff picture remains uncertain. Oklahoma City is the only team with a secure position at the top. In contrast, the Eastern Conference has more predictable matchups. The most likely Western series, between the Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets, may not be set until after the play-in games. This uncertainty makes it challenging for teams to prepare for their first-round opponents. — Kevin Pelton
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
