The start of the new-look NBA playoffs are rapidly approaching, and every game is crucial across the league as teams are battling for playoff positioning. New in 2021 is the play-in tournament, which gives four teams from each conference the chance to occupy the final two playoff slots for the first round.
How does the NBA’s new playoff system work, and which teams are the Lakers projected to face? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a comprehensive look at the standings, the Lakers’ remaining schedule, and their potential playoff opponents with six games left in the regular season.
The current standings:
- 5 – Dallas Mavericks (38-28)
- 6 – Los Angeles Lakers (37-29) – 1 games back
- 7 – Portland Trail Blazers (37-29) – 1 game back
- 8 – Golden State Warriors (34-33) – 4.5 games back
- 9 – Memphis Grizzlies (33-33) – 5 games back
- 10 – San Antonio Spurs (31-34) – 6.5 games back
- 11 – New Orleans Pelicans (30-36) – 8 games back
Games remaining in the regular season: 7
Next game: at Trail Blazers, Friday, May 7
Remaining schedule:
- May 7: at Trail Blazers (7th in West), 7 PT
- May 9: vs. Suns (2nd in West), 7 PT
- May 11: vs. Knicks (4th in East), 7 PT
- May 12: vs. Rockets (15th in West), 7:30 PT
- May 15: at Pacers (9th in East), TBD
- May 16: at Pelicans (11th in West), TBD
Playoff opponents if season ended today:
As the current No. 6 seed, the Lakers would be matched up in the first round with the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers, who they fell to last night, 118-94.
The Clippers swept the season series against the Lakers 3-0, though LeBron James and Anthony Davis (essentially) missed two of the three matchups.
