West Playoff Race Heats Up as Bucks Clinch Their Spot in the East
Man, if you’re not locked in on the NBA right now, you’re missing out on one of the wildest playoff races we’ve seen in years—especially out West. The standings are tighter than ever with just a week left in the regular season. As of Saturday, only 1.5 games separate the 3rd and 8th seeds in the Western Conference, and we’ve got a three-way tie for 6th between the Timberwolves, Clippers, and Grizzlies. Every game feels like a playoff preview.
Let’s start with Minnesota. The Timberwolves are on fire, having won five straight, and Anthony Edwards is putting the league on notice. He dropped 37 points against the Sixers, and it wasn’t just the volume—it was the how . We're talking about poster dunks, dagger threes, and pure clutch DNA. Rudy Gobert backed him up big time with a season-high 23 points and 19 boards. With that win, the Wolves technically hold the tiebreaker among the three tied teams, giving them the edge— for now .
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Then you’ve got the Clippers who absolutely dismantled the Mavericks. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden both went off for 29 points, and Harden added 14 assists. That duo is clicking, and L.A. has now won 14 of their last 17. They’ve got momentum, experience, and are hungry to dodge the Play-In.
The Grizzlies? No Ja Morant, no problem. Desmond Bane exploded for 38, including 13 clutch points in the final stretch, and Jaren Jackson Jr. came through with a strong 20 and 11. Zach Edey, the rookie, pulled down a monster 21 rebounds too. This team is scrappy and refuses to fade—even in the chaos of the West.
Over in the East, things might look a bit more stable, but the Bucks just made a statement. After a four-game skid, Giannis has been playing like a man possessed. In his last three games, he’s averaged 36 points, 12 boards, and nearly 14 assists on 64% shooting . He’s even putting up numbers not seen since Wilt Chamberlain— yes, Wilt . Saturday’s OT win over Miami sealed Milwaukee’s 9th straight playoff appearance, and they’re now 5th in the East. Giannis also just passed LeBron for the longest streak of 30+ point games on 60% shooting. Legendary stuff.
Meanwhile, the Knicks crushed the Hawks with a huge second quarter and 11 first-half threes. Karl-Anthony Towns is thriving in New York, logging his 19th 30-point, 10-rebound game of the season. OG Anunoby is also quietly cooking, now with nine straight 20-point games.
Even though the East Play-In teams are basically locked—Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami—seeding is still shifting daily. Atlanta’s loss officially clinched their Play-In berth, but they’ve still got work to do to move up and avoid a tougher path.
Bottom line? Every game matters. Every possession. And with matchups like Lakers vs. Thunder and Rockets vs. Warriors on the horizon, buckle up. The final week of the regular season is going to be a rollercoaster—and we’re all here for it.
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