The NBA’s regular season is winding down, and for many teams, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they gear up for Game 82. For ten teams, it marks the end of their journey this year, while 13 others are still looking forward to the playoffs that are just around the corner.
In the Western Conference, seven teams find themselves in a nail-biting situation, where this final game feels as crucial as a decisive seventh match in the playoffs. The regular season ends this Sunday, with all eyes on which teams will secure their postseason berths.
As the clock ticks down, teams are preparing for a pivotal day filled with consequential matchups. Each game starts shortly after 3:30 p.m. Eastern time and could determine how the playoff picture shapes up in the West. It’s a day for action, where every team has something to fight for—some for pride, others for survival.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry summed up the intensity perfectly: “It should be like a Game 7 kind of vibe. You win, and you control your destiny on a guaranteed playoff series. You lose, and you roll the dice.” The stakes are indeed high, as Golden State, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota are all in the mix for three available playoff spots. One of these teams will miss out and have to compete in a play-in game.
The mission is clear for these squads: win, and they’re in. Golden State faces off against the Clippers, and the loser will likely find themselves heading into the play-in scenario. Additionally, if Utah secures a victory against Minnesota, the Timberwolves will be bound for the play-in game, regardless of other outcomes.
As Sunday approaches, Minnesota is on the brink of missing a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Denver holds the fourth position, with the Clippers fifth and Golden State sixth. The Timberwolves have a crucial match against Utah, which has struggled this season.
Julius Randle of Minnesota echoed the sentiment of focusing on their game: “Win the game and then whatever happens after that happens. We win the game, we’re where we want to be.”
The playoff picture isn’t entirely clear for other Western Conference teams like Memphis, Sacramento, and Dallas either. Memphis will end up in a play-in game, while Sacramento and Dallas will battle for the ninth and tenth spots.
In the Eastern Conference, things are much more settled. Cleveland secured the top position, followed by Boston and New York, with Indiana rounding out the top four. The first round of playoff games is set to be exciting, with Orlando facing Atlanta and Chicago going head-to-head with Miami in elimination matches.
In terms of achievements, several players are in line to complete the 82-game season. Notable among them is Mikal Bridges from New York, who, throughout his career, has maintained remarkable health and consistency by playing in every possible game. Meanwhile, Chris Paul of San Antonio may set records as he approaches the elder statesman milestone of starting all 82 games in his 20th season.
Three teams—Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Boston—have already hit the impressive 50-win mark this season, with more potentially joining the ranks. If Indiana, Denver, and the Clippers can also reach this milestone, it could be a record-setting year for the number of 50-win teams.
Indeed, as the NBA regular season wraps up, the excitement is palpable. All teams now await their fate, and for some, the journey is just beginning as they look toward a hopeful playoff run.
