Importance Score: 32 / 100 🔵
Clippers Clinch Playoff Spot, Sending Warriors to Play-In Tournament
In a high-stakes finale to the regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers secured their NBA playoff berth and relegated the Golden State Warriors to the play-in tournament. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 124-119 in overtime on Sunday, guaranteeing themselves the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Conversely, the Warriors dropped to the No. 7 seed and are set to host the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, with the victor claiming the coveted No. 7 seed.
Western Conference Playoff Picture Takes Shape
A Warriors victory would have pushed the Clippers down to the seventh spot. However, James Harden delivered a stellar performance, scoring 39 points, along with 10 assists and seven rebounds. This performance capped off an All-Star caliber season for the former NBA MVP and extended the Clippers’ winning streak to eight games, achieving a final regular season record of 50-32.
“We’re a good team, and we’re excited to show the world that,” Harden stated in a post-game interview. “We are a good team.”
Dramatic Final Day in the West
The Western Conference bracket remained undecided until the final day of the season, with numerous teams contending for various positions below the top three seeds, which were already secured by Oklahoma City, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Denver Nuggets recovered from a turbulent final week, which involved changes in coaching and management, to clinch the No. 4 seed. Their 126-111 victory over the Houston Rockets ensured home-court advantage in the first round against the Clippers. The Lakers, Nuggets, and Clippers all concluded the season with identical 50-32 records. Los Angeles, by virtue of tiebreakers, secured the No. 3 seed, marking their first home playoff series start since 2012.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves, in a position to potentially fall as low as eighth, ascended to the No. 6 seed with a 49-33 record after their 116-105 win against Utah. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 43 points, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the play-in tournament to his teammates.
“We don’t want to participate in the play-in, because I’ve experienced both scenarios,” Edwards, an All-Star guard, commented. “Our aim is to be fully prepared as we enter the playoffs. We desire that full week of preparation.”
Warriors Face Play-In Challenge
The Warriors, who are winless in play-in tournament games historically, shared this sentiment. A sixth-place finish would have set the stage for another highly anticipated postseason clash between Stephen Curry and LeBron James. Now, they have a short two-day window to overcome their disappointment and prepare for the play-in.
“We’re exactly where we anticipate being,” remarked Warriors forward Jimmy Butler. “We still have an opportunity, and our destiny remains in our hands. We anticipate being just fine.”
Play-In Tournament Matchups Set
Sacramento finished as the No. 9 seed and Dallas as No. 10 in the Western Conference. They are scheduled to compete on Wednesday in Sacramento. The winner of this contest will then face the loser of the Golden State versus Memphis game for a chance to challenge the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Eastern Conference Seeding Finalized
Contrastingly, the Eastern Conference witnessed no final-day seeding changes, as all positions were already determined.
Cleveland holds the No. 1 seed, and Boston is No. 2. They await the two teams that will advance from the play-in tournament. The No. 3 New York Knicks are slated to play the No. 6 Detroit Pistons, while the No. 4 Indiana Pacers will face the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks.
Orlando secured the No. 7 seed and will host eighth-seeded Atlanta on Tuesday. The winner will advance to play the Boston Celtics. The losing team will have another opportunity against the victor of the game between No. 9 Chicago and No. 10 Miami.