NBA: As the post-All-Star push begins, here’s a closer look at the playoff races
Western Conference: 8 seed
L.A. Clippers: 32-27, 13 home/10 away, .484 (23rd in the NBA)
Sacramento Kings: 30-27, 11 home/14 away, .485 (21st in the NBA)
L.A. Lakers: 28-29, 13 home/12 away, .520 (9th in the NBA)
The battle for the final playoff spot in the West isn’t the most important race in the NBA but it will be the most talked about. After landing LeBron James in free agency most assumed that the Lakers would at least make the playoffs, but after James suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for 17 games the Lakers fell off without him.
The Lakers went from being in the top four of the West to out of the playoffs and now find themselves three games back of the Clippers and two games back of the Kings for the final playoff spot.
As LeBron and the Lakers try to catch the final playoff spot, there will be a lot of talk about the Lakers, LeBron and potential ramifications should the Lakers miss the playoffs.
The Clippers traded away their best player in Tobias Harris and signaled that they were going all in for the 2019 offseason. With several big names linked to the Clippers don’t be surprised if the Clippers drop out of the playoff race. Their goal is to land a big name or two in free agency not to get swept in the first round.
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The Kings feel like the favorites at this moment as they have a significantly easier schedule remaining than the Lakers but they do have 14 of their 25 remaining games on the road. Sacramento is 11-16 on the road this season. If the race comes down to LeBron and the Lakers vs the Kings then the Lakers having two more home games could play a major role in who gets that final spot.