The NBA Western Conference Playoff race is starting to shape up.
With just a few weeks remaining in the 2023-2024 NBA season, teams out west are looking to secure their spot in the NBA Playoffs.
The standings have seen a lot of changes, from teams going up in seeding to some even falling into the play-in.
Here are some teams to keep an eye on in the NBA Western Conference.
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NBA Western Conference Playoff Picture: True Contenders
The Denver Nuggets are currently the first seed in the west with a record 51-21 on the season.
The Nuggets have turned up their play as of lately, winning five of their last six games; including a major win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are right on the Nuggets' tail at (49-21), and the Timberwolves are just third at (49-22).
All three teams have remained atop the NBA Western Conference standings and hope to finish the season out strong in order to earn home-court advantage.
Both the Thunder and Timberwolves have harsher schedules compared to the Nuggets down the final stretch.
OKC still has a matchup against the Celtics (April 3rd). As well as matchups against the Pelicans (March 26), Rockets (March 27), Suns (March 29), and Knicks (March 31st).
Minnesota has one matchup remaining with the Nuggets (March 29), which could determine how things turn out atop the west. The Timberwolves will also face the red-hot Rockets (April 2) and the Suns (April 5th).
With just a few weeks remaining in the season, any of these three teams could walk away with home-court advantage as the number one seed throughout the NBA Western Conference Playoffs.
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NBA Western Conference Playoff Picture: Middle of the Pack
Despite being the fourth and fifth seeds out west, teams like the New Orleans Pelicans (44-27) and the Los Angeles Clippers (44-27) could be dangerous for any top team they face in the second round.
Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson has found life at this point in the season and has lifted New Orleans into the upper tier of the NBA Western Conference standings. They are peaking at the right time and have the depth to rival any contender out west.
The Clippers have remained, despite a recent loss to the Indiana Pacers, a dangerous team for anyone to deal with, especially when they are healthy.
The Sacramento Kings are holding onto the final Playoff spot, sitting at the sixth seed in the west.
The Kings have dialed it up, picking up big wins in three of their last four games, as they hope to clinch the final spot in the NBA Western Conference Playoffs.
Sacramento has two big-time matchups against the Mavericks that may impact the NBA Western Conference seeding very late in the season.
NBA Western Conference Playoff Picture: Play-In Hopefuls
As it stands, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks are currently the No.7 seed in the west.
The Mavericks have been fighting for a spot in the Playoffs behind the play of Luka Doncic. The team has unfortunately dealt with inconsistent play along with key players like Kyrie Irving going down due to injury,
Despite this, the Mavs are still in striking distance to steal the final playoff spot in the west, and have a chance to do so in the closing weeks of the NBA season.
Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are fighting to keep their season alive with a 39-32 record. The Lakers have turned up their play since the All-Star break, being able to reel off some big wins to keep their season afloat.
The Phoenix Suns (39-34) are staying steady in the eighth spot out west, having continued to look consistent when healthy. They still have quite a bit to work on if they want to climb out of the Play-In.
The Golden State Warriors (36-34) are fighting for their postseason lives, clinging to the NBA Western Conference 10th and final Play-In spot.
A prime team fighting to get in would be the Houston Rockets, who for the most part are playing some of their best basketball of the season; reeling off nine straight wins as they are fighting to sneak into the NBA Playoff Picture.
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