Updated: What do LeBron James’ Lakers need to qualify for the 2023 NBA Playoffs or the Play-In Tournament?

The final phase of the NBA regular season is on firethe teams have to take out the calculator to know what their outlook is to qualify for the postseason.

In the western conference Until this April 5th and with three games to go, the Denver Nuggets remain at the top with 52 games won and 27 lostaccumulating a .658 average.

They are escorted by Memphis Grizzlies in the second rung with 50 wins and 29 losses; the Sacramento Kings in third place with 48-31; in fourth place the Phoenix Suns with 44-35; on the fifth step Golden State Warriors con 42-38 y LA Clippers also with 41-38 in sixth place.

Let’s remember that the first six places are the ones that get their direct position to the playoffs, so if the season ended today these teams would be the ones that would access directly.

NBA Play-In Tournament

On the other hand, the teams that finish in places from 7 to 10 enter the Play-In Tournament to be held from April 11 to 14.

Taking that into account, Los Angeles Lakers with 41-38 that are positioned in the seventh step; the New Orleans Pelicans 40-39 in eighth place; the The Minnesota Timberwolves with 40-40 in the ninth position and the Oklahoma City Thunder with 38-42 in the tenth rung, they would dispute the Play-In Tournament.

What do the Los Angeles Lakers need to qualify directly for the playoffs?

Reiterating that there are three games left to finish the regular season and to win all of their remaining games against LA Clippers (April 5), Phoenix Suns (April 7) and Utah Jazz (April 9) they still have the possibility of reaching their direct ticket to the playoffs in the West.

They could still reach their direct pass, if they get the three remaining winsbecause only a victory separates them from the Warriors (42-38) who are fifth and maintain the same mark as LA Clippers They are sixth (41-38), so their fate is in their hands.

The game against the Clippers tonight (April 5) will be vital to define their ticket to the playoffs.

If they do not win all their games, special attention must be paid to the games against the Clippers (3 games pending) and the Warriors (2 games pending) who are in a better position than the Lakers.