We'll Get to See Lakers, Warriors More in Coming Post-Season Playoffs
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 10 Mar 2025
Unlike the past two seasons where both had to fight for life in the play-in, chances are we will get to see fans-favorites Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors in the post-season playoffs in the Western Conference of the soon to end 2024-25 season.
The Lakers, boosted a great deal by the arrival of Slovenian star Luka Doncic, are currently ensconced at second place, seven games behind Oklahoma City Thunder (51-11) at 40-22 while the Warriors are at sixth with a 36-28 win loss record. It is the first time in years that both teams are many games above .500.
LA lost to Boston yesterday on the road in a high profile game evoking memories of their storied rivalry last seen in the late 2000s. The bad news was Lebron was injured and could possibly miss several weeks which could affect the Lakers' current standing.
But even without Lebron, LA still has enough manpower to support Doncic, including top draftee Dalton Knecht which the Lakers fortunately had second thoughts of trading recently. There's also emerging star Austin Reeves and usual dependables Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney Smith, Jared Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and main center Jaxson Hayes, among others.
With only so many games left, the worse case scenario for the Lakers is low top four or fifth place given that they are just a game or two ahead of the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets which suffered injuries to major players of their own lately. But then, the Lakers have to win as many of their remaining games as they could without exposing Doncic to the danger of major injury.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors are aware that they cannot stay smug at sixth and even have to aspire for at least the fifth place to avoid having to compete in the play-in for the 7th and 8th playoff spot in the post season. The Warriors are just a game or two ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers.
There are indications the Warriors could still improve as with the coming of Jimmy Butler from Miami which complemented the usual stellar game of superstar Stephen Curry, they tied OKC with the best results in the last ten games at 9-1.
However, there are a minor hiccups with the current lineup particularly with regards to Buddy Hield who despite a scorer, is a weak link on defense. The signing of seven foot Dutch Quentin Post has given the Warriors another huge body inside for offense and defense in addition to Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson Davis.
The Warriors starting tomorrow will be on a six game home stand mostly against fellow Western Conference teams and the homecourt advantage augers we'll for their bid for a higher finish.
The assured presence of LA Lakers and the Golden State Warriors will most certainly make the playoffs in the West more competitive as well as exciting as two teams which could challenge OKC and possibly emerge as finalists for the Western Conference crown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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