With a gritty 120-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers have surged into third place in the Western Conference, showcasing their determination as the playoff race heats up. While the Oklahoma City Thunder are setting the pace at the top, the battle for prime playoff positioning is becoming increasingly intense, and every game holds significant weight. Lakers head coach JJ Redick has made it clear that their objective is straightforward: secure a spot in the playoffs and steer clear of the play-in tournament.
However, following the win against Denver, Redick delivered a cautionary note regarding the temptation to tinker with playoff matchups. His wise reflection on the whims of fate in basketball struck a chord. “We would all love to have homecourt advantage. It would be nice. And our group has been awesome at home, so far they have. But again, you gotta play the next game and you gotta win the game in front of you,” Redick said. “And then, I’ve seen it too many times, the basketball gods. You start messing around with things, the basketball gods, they will punish you.”
This sober reminder serves as a critical checkpoint for a Lakers team which, under Redick’s leadership, is eager to snatch an outright playoff berth rather than risk the uncertainty of the play-in. With a solid four-and-a-half game cushion over the Los Angeles Clippers—currently holding the seventh spot—the Lakers seem poised to avoid that fate.
Yet it’s important to note that even if the Lakers finish in fifth or sixth, they can still advance to the playoffs without the luxury of homecourt advantage in the first round. The playoff landscape in the West has tightened dramatically, with just two games separating the teams currently positioned from second through fifth: the Houston Rockets, Lakers, Nuggets, and Memphis Grizzlies.
As the regular season winds down, each match becomes a high-stakes affair, with the potential for movements in the standings that could redefine playoff trajectories. The Lakers, with their eyes firmly set on postseason play, will have to stay sharp and focused, channeling their energy wisely as they navigate this critical stretch of the season. It’s not just about winning; it’s about winning right.
