Western Conference standings update, 3/24
A look back on the weekend, and ahead to the week.
It wasn’t a good weekend for the Golden State Warriors. Hit hard by an injury to Steph Curry, the Dubs fell behind by 20 points in the first quarter of their Saturday game against the Atlanta Hawks, and couldn’t overcome that deficit, losing their only game of the weekend. The loss cost the Warriors a chance to inch closer to the fifth seed, but it didn’t cost them the sixth seed — the spot they’ve occupied for a while, and continue to occupy.
Things are close, though — in both directions. Here’s a look at what transpired over the weekend for the teams the Warriors are chasing, and what’s on top for everyone in the coming week.
No. 8 — LA Clippers (40-31)
Even if Curry misses a few more games, the Warriors are pretty clear of the teams behind the Clippers: they’re five-and-a-half games up on the Sacramento Kings, and a full seven games ahead of the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. But they’re only one game ahead of the Clippers, which is scarily close when you remember that LA has clinched the tiebreaker.
The Clippers split their weekend games, crushing the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday to push their winning streak to five games, before losing a tense game on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Kawhi Leonard healthy, the Clippers are rolling, and the Warriors are looking over their shoulder. This one could come down to the finish line, as the team’s end the regular season on April 13 by squaring off in San Francisco.
Next games up: Wednesday at the Knicks
No. 7 — Minnesota Timberwolves (41-31)
The Timberwolves recovered after a rough week to have a good weekend, crushing the New Orleans Pelicans by 41 points on Friday in their only game. That, combined with Golden State’s loss to Atlanta, moved Minnesota to just a half-game behind the Dubs, though the Warriors critically own the tiebreaker. It’s another quiet week for the Wolves, but with a big game tonight.
Next games up: Monday at the Pacers
No. 5 — Memphis Grizzlies (43-28)
The Grizzlies lost their only game of the weekend, getting crushed by the Clippers on Friday. That opened the door for the Dubs to pull closer, but Golden State couldn’t capitalize. As a result, Memphis stays two games ahead of the Warriors.
But it’s a close race. The Grizzlies are struggling, having lost three games in a row, and they have an absolutely brutal schedule upcoming. Critically, they face the Warriors next week, which will be a massive game, and could determine the seeding for both teams, as the Dubs would earn the tiebreaker with a win.
Next games up: Tuesday at the Jazz, Thursday at the Thunder
No. 4 — Los Angeles Lakers (43-27)
Catching the Lakers remains a difficult task for the Warriors with so few games remaining. Los Angeles is two-and-a-half games up, with the tiebreaker clinched. But the Lakers have also been flirting with forgetting how to play basketball, thanks to injuries to LeBron James and Luka Dončić. They were blown out by the Chicago Bulls on Saturday in their only game of the weekend, and have lost their last two games by a combined 60 points, while losing four of their last seven. If they keep sliding, who knows what could happen, especially since they still have a game left against the Dubs.
Next games up: Monday at the Magic, Wednesday at the Pacers, Thursday at the Bulls
As for the Warriors, they get to rest up a bit this week, which hopefully minimizes how much time Curry misses. They get two days off before Jimmy Butler III’s return game against the Miami Heat, then two more days off before the weekend games begin.
Hopefully they’re still occupying the sixth seed when we reconvene on Friday.
Here’s a look at the full standings in the West.