The first step toward winning the first-ever NBA Cup is for a team to win its group and advance to the quarterfinal of the knockout round, which will take place during the first full week of December.
The Los Angeles Lakers have accomplished that objective by waxing the Utah Jazz 131-99 on Tuesday night. It was a very easy win for them, and it resulted in a fourth quarter that was entirely comprised of garbage time, allowing LeBron James and Anthony Davis to get plenty of rest.
In doing that, the Lakers have finished 4-0 in Group A, giving them home-court advantage for the quarterfinal game of the knockout round. They’re now done with group play games.
Updated West IST Standings:
LAL (4-0) +74 (Lakers secure No. 1 or No. 2 seed)
NOP (2-1) +23 (@ LAC)
SAC (2-0) +16 (at MIN, vs. GSW)
PHX (2-1): +13 (@ MEM)
MIN (2-0) +10 (vs. SAC, vs. OKC)
DEN (2-1) +9 (@ HOU)
GSW (1-1) -1 (vs. SAS, at SAC)
HOU (1-1) -3 (vs. DEN, at DAL)— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 22, 2023
There are two more days of group play remaining for teams other than the Lakers: this Friday and Tuesday of next week. Los Angeles will play one of the Western Conference’s two wild-card teams, and games played on both days will determine which wild-card team it will play in that quarterfinal round.
Currently, the Purple and Gold hold the No. 1 seed in the West. It is possible the Sacramento Kings or Minnesota Timberwolves could overtake the Lakers for that top seed, but both teams will have a steep uphill climb in order to do so.
Only Sacramento or Minnesota could catch the Lakers for the No. 1 seed, but they'll have to make up what's currently a point differential of 81 in their respective final two games (one of which is against each other). https://t.co/3kFVXffkak
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 22, 2023
After head-to-head records, point differential is the next tiebreaker when two teams have the same record in group play.