NBA: 5 storylines to follow during the homestretch of the regular season

Party crashers out West

Speaking of the West potentially being wide open, there are some possible dark horses lurking around the bottom of the playoff picture.

The Lakers have been a mess all season, but do the Suns really want to see them in the first round with Chris Paul maybe just getting back from injury? Do the Warriors want to see LeBron James and Anthony Davis attacking the rim with Draymond either compromised or watching from the sideline?

The Clippers have also been pretty vague with Paul George’s injury, but it’s within reason that he could be back for the playoffs. And Kawhi Leonard doesn’t talk to anyone, even his own team, but it wouldn’t be a total shock if he found his way back into the lineup considering his knee injury was sustained during last year’s playoffs.

You could also see the red-hot Pelicans in that spot amid reports that Zion Williamson has been cleared for basketball activities and could be rejoining the team.

I think the Suns and Warriors survive no matter what, but there’s some serious star-power that could be showing up just in time to ruin someone’s great season in the first round.