Lakers Settle for Fourth Seed as Clippers Close Regular Season with Win Over Warriors
The NBA regular season has reached its conclusion, leaving the Western Conference landscape set for the 2026 postseason. While the Los Angeles Lakers secured a strong finish to their campaign, they were unable to break into the top three of the standings, ultimately settling for the No. 4 seed. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers ended their season on a high note, defeating the Golden State Warriors in a final regular-season clash.
The closing days of the season highlighted the stark contrast between the two Los Angeles franchises and the narrow margins that define playoff seeding in a hyper-competitive West.
Clippers Secure Final Victory Over Warriors
On April 13, 2026, the Los Angeles Clippers hosted the Golden State Warriors for the final game of the regular season. In a tightly contested matchup, the Clippers emerged victorious with a 115-110 win. The result allowed Los Angeles to finish the regular season with a record of 42-40, providing some momentum heading into the postseason picture.
For the Golden State Warriors, the loss marked a disappointing end to their campaign. The Warriors fell to a final regular-season record of 37-45, leaving them locked into the No. 10 seed for the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The matchup served as a critical “general rehearsal” for the Clippers, who entered the final day of the season battling for positioning. Despite the win, the Clippers’ path to the playoffs remains precarious, as they spent the final stretch of the season tied with the Portland Trail Blazers at 41-40 (as of April 11), often trailing due to tiebreaker disadvantages.
Lakers Miss Top Three Despite Strong Finish
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the final stretch of the season as one of the primary contenders for a top-three seed, which would guarantee a direct path to the first round of the playoffs and avoid the volatility of the Play-In Tournament. However, records show the Lakers finished as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
As of the final standings updates, the Lakers held a record of 52-29. While this represents a highly successful regular season, it was not enough to leapfrog the three teams currently occupying the top spots in the West:
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 64-17
- San Antonio Spurs: 62-19
- Denver Nuggets: 53-28
By finishing fourth, the Lakers avoid the Play-In Tournament but face a potentially more demanding road in the opening round of the playoffs, as they will likely face a battle-tested opponent from the 5-10 seed range.
Analyzing the Western Conference Playoff Picture
The 2026 Western Conference standings reveal a significant gap between the elite top-tier teams and the middle of the pack. The Thunder and Spurs dominated the season, both clearing 60 wins, while the Nuggets narrowly held onto the third spot ahead of Los Angeles.
Below the top four, the race for the remaining playoff berths became a congested scramble. The Houston Rockets (51-30) and Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33) secured their positions, while the Phoenix Suns (44-37) followed. The battle for the final spots involved the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers, both fighting through the margins of a 40-win season.
For those unfamiliar with the current format, the Play-In Tournament serves as a bridge between the regular season and the playoffs. Teams seeded 7th through 10th compete for the final two playoff seeds. So the Warriors, as the 10th seed, face the steepest climb, requiring multiple wins against higher-seeded opponents to advance.
The ‘Battle of L.A.’ Context
The divergent paths of the Lakers and Clippers continue to shape the Lakers–Clippers rivalry. Historically, the Lakers have maintained a dominant lead in the all-time series, with a record of 158–89. The two teams most recently met on February 20, 2026, where the Lakers secured a 125-122 victory.
While the Lakers have found stability in the top four this year, the Clippers remain the “wild card” of the Los Angeles area. Their ability to win high-pressure games, such as the recent victory over Golden State, will be essential if they are to navigate the Play-In Tournament and secure a playoff berth.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Regular Season Finale
| Team | Final/Recent Record | Status |
|---|---|---|
| OKC Thunder | 64-17 | No. 1 Seed |
| LA Lakers | 52-29 | No. 4 Seed |
| LA Clippers | 42-40 | Play-In Bound |
| GS Warriors | 37-45 | No. 10 Seed |
As the league transitions from the regular season to the postseason, the focus now shifts to the NBA playoff bracket and the high-stakes games of the Play-In Tournament. The Lakers will look to refine their rotation to challenge the top three, while the Clippers and Warriors fight for survival in the West.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the league is the start of the Play-In Tournament, where the final seeds for the Western and Eastern Conferences will be determined.
Do you think the Lakers’ fourth-seed position will hinder their championship aspirations, or is the path clear for a deep run? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
