Western Conference Playoffs Set, Play-In Picture Finalized

The Western Conference postseason field is finalized with 10 teams locked in, setting the stage for a high-intensity playoff run. The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers, and Golden State Warriors will all be in action as the 2024 NBA Playoffs begin. The race for the final two playoff spots came down to the wire, with the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers battling for the No. 7 seed.

The Suns will host the Trail Blazers in the 7-8 Play-In Tournament Game. Whoever wins that matchup will earn the No. 7 seed and face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The loser of the Suns-Trail Blazers game will then play the winner of the Clippers-Warriors 9-10 Play-In Game. That second winner will take the No. 8 seed and face the Thunder in the opening round. The Trail Blazers entered the final week with a 0.5 game lead over the Suns, making every win and loss crucial.

The Nuggets will host the Timberwolves in the first-round series, continuing a long-standing rivalry between two of the West’s most consistent teams. Denver finished the regular season with a 57-25 record, while Minnesota went 53-29. The Lakers, who ended the season with a 49-33 record, will host the Rockets in a first-round matchup that could test their depth and championship pedigree.

The Thunder are the No. 1 seed with a 60-22 record, the best in the conference. Their blend of youth and experience gives them a strong chance to make a deep run. The Spurs, with a 47-35 record, will look to continue their playoff streak and challenge the Thunder in the second round if they win the first.

The Play-In Tournament adds a dramatic edge to the final days of the regular season. Phoenix closed the season on a 6-2 run, while Portland finished 5-5. The Clippers, at 42-40, will host the Warriors, who went 40-42. Golden State’s late-season surge gave them the tiebreaker over LA, despite the same record.

With the bracket set, fans can now focus on the matchups that matter. The NBA playoffs begin on April 16. The first Play-In Game between the Suns and Trail Blazers is scheduled for April 15, with the second Play-In Game following on April 16.