With one day left in the regular season, the LA Clippers have 49 wins and are the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They have had a never-to-be-forgotten year with a chance to notch fifty, and superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are healthy up until this point. There is nothing more a Clipper fan could ask for after watching Paul George switch teams and the critics immediately writing them off.
However, the Clippers have not clinched the postseason, and a massive NBA Sunday slate is on the table. The pressure is on, as the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds are all out of order.
What builds hype is that the Clippers play one of the teams they are neck and neck with, the Golden State Warriors. This does not decide a tiebreaker, as LA has already won the season series, but a loss would keep the play-in tournament doors vacant for head coach Tyronn Lue to sign up for.
That said, the three ways the LA Clippers could officially become a top-six seed are below.
3. Win against the Golden State Warriors
The straightforward, uncomplicated way for the LA Clippers to receive playoff confirmation is by winning against the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers must ace this test with sunshine and roses, as it would keep the win streak alive and heighten the vibes stepping foot in round one.
Furthermore, the seasonal record may belong to the Clippers, but after the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler, they have shown their teeth as another NBA Finals contender. Golden State is a new team, and with Stephen Curry on the floor, the impossible suddenly becomes possible.
2. The Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the Utah Jazz
Regardless of who takes the game between the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors, if the Minnesota Timberwolves lose to the Utah Jazz, head coach Tyronn Lue and his squad are safely secured.
Conversely, this loss is unlikely, especially because Anthony Edwards will be playing. His status was in question as he recently exceeded the technical foul limit with 18 on Friday evening, but it was rescinded, making him eligible.
1. The Denver Nuggets lose to the Houston Rockets
The final way the Clippers could ensure top-six contention, win or lose to the Warriors, is if the Denver Nuggets crumble in game 82 to the Houston Rockets.
Houston’s stars will be available but will likely be removed for the second half. They are more focused on getting their last lap of cardio in before their showdown with the seventh seed.
Moreover, the Nuggets losing their season finale to the Rockets and the Clippers beating the Warriors would be the ultimate cherry on top of a phenomenal Sunday and regular season. These two falling into place would book Intuit Dome in the first round for LA as the fourth seed.