4. LA Clippers
If the LA Clippers were completely healthy heading into the NBA Playoffs, there’s an argument to be made that they would be ranked higher on this list. Nevertheless, the No. 5-seeded Clippers are a team to keep an eye on in the first round. If there are any missteps from the Phoenix Suns or if perhaps Paul George can return sooner than expected, there’s an outside chance that the Clippers could end up making a deep playoff run.
The big question for this team is whether or not Kawhi Leonard will be able to play consistently great until PG returns. The problem is, Kawhi will have to do so against Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Suns. It’s not a favorable matchup for the Clippers and quite unfortunate. This is a series that probably should take place in the conference semifinals or even the conference finals. But it’s been that weird of a season in the West.
Either way, the Clippers are one of the lower-seeded teams that at least have a shot in their first-round series. Should they be able to pull it off, it could catapult them toward a deep run in the West. But it’s a huge and perhaps somewhat unlikely first step.