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 launch of the play-in tournament, which gives four teams from each conference the chance to occupy the final two playoff slots for the first round – and means that the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds could potentially be sent home early.
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 6-seed, the Lakers would be matched up in the first round with the 3-seed 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.