Right now, theLakers are probably the most dangerous team in the NBA. Since LeBron Jamessuffered an injury on his right foot, Los Angeles started to play on survival-mode. When everyone thought they would be out of the race,Anthony Davis,D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves were spectacular to stayalive.
Then, LeBron James returned and the Lakerssuddenly find themselves in a spectacular four-game winning streak. At the moment, Los Angelesare on seventhplace in theWestern Conferencethanks toa 41-38record.
With only threegames remaining in their calendar, the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James have to make a final push. Read here to find out what they need to make the playoffs.
NBA 2023: What do the Lakers and LeBron James need to make the playoffs?
This is the remaining schedule for theLos Angeles Lakers: Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz. The first six teams in the standings automatically advance to the playoffs and from 7th to 10th go to the play-in looking for the final two spots in the NBA postseason.
In the Western Conference, four teams have clinched a playoff berth: Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. Then, five teams still have a chanceto fight for the two direct spots left and the rest will end in the play-in: Clippers (42-38), Warriors(42-38), Lakers (41-39), Pelicans (41-39) and Timberwolves (40-40).
After a devastating loss against the Clippers, the Lakers sit at the 7th spot and are closer to the play-in tournament rather than the playoffs. At the moment, the Lakers own the tiebreaker over the Golden State Warrios and the New Orleans Pelicans. However,in case of a tie in the loss column, they don’t have the tiebreaker against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The most important thing for the Lakers is that they no longer control their destiny to be the sixth seed and avoid the play-in. Right now, their best chance is to finish the season with the same record as the Golden State Warriors. They’re just one game behind and would surpass them with the tiebreaker.
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LeBron James made one key adjustment after his foot injury
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