The Western Conference playoffs are still up in the air thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with only two games remaining for each team involved.
Anthony Edwards’ 44-point performance led the T-wolves to a dominant 141-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, propelling them into a tie for sixth place in the West. With six teams – Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors – within two games of each other in the standings, the race is tight.
Each team has two more games to play, with outcomes ranging from securing a playoff series to battling it out in the play-in tournament.
On Thursday, the Timberwolves needed a win to avoid being on the cusp of a play-in spot. Edwards stepped up, leading his team on a 29-7 run in the third quarter.
Notably, the Grizzlies were missing rookie Jaylen Wells, who would have likely defended against Edwards. Wells is sidelined indefinitely after a wrist injury.
Edwards’ stellar performance, along with Julius Randle’s 31 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, outshone Ja Morant’s 36-point effort for the Grizzlies.
With plenty of uncertainty in the Western Conference playoffs this weekend, the top two seeds belong to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. The lower play-in game will feature the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks.
Western Conference standings after April 10
1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 66-14
2. Houston Rockets, 52-28 (14 games back)
3. Los Angeles Lakers, 49-31 (17 GB)
4. Denver Nuggets, 48-32 (18 GB)
5. Los Angeles Clippers, 48-32 (18 GB)
6. Golden State Warriors, 47-33 (19 GB)
7. Memphis Grizzlies, 47-33 (19 GB)
8. Minnesota Timberwolves, 47-33 (19 GB)
9. Sacramento Kings, 39-41 (27 GB)
10. Dallas Mavericks, 38-42 (28 GB)
The competition is fierce among the six teams vying for playoff positioning, with high stakes on the line. The top teams will host a playoff series, while the middle teams will secure a spot in the first round. The bottom two teams will face off to determine their playoff fate.
With star players like LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Morant, and Edwards in the mix, the final weekend of the NBA season promises to be thrilling.
While tie-breaking scenarios are complex, the primary focus for each team is to secure wins in their remaining games. The Timberwolves, facing two lottery teams, have a favorable schedule compared to the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Clippers, who will face tougher opponents.