The New Orleans Pelicans (48-32) clinched a crucial victory against the Sacramento Kings (45-35), securing a 135-123 win and maintaining their one-game lead over the Suns in the Western Conference standings for the coveted No. 6 seed.
Despite the loss, Sacramento finds itself trailing the Suns (47-33) by two games and clinging to the No. 8 spot alongside the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, all sporting identical 45-35 records
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With just two games left in the regular season for these teams, including the Suns holding the No. 7 seed, the playoff picture remains tightly contested.
Tomorrow, the Suns are set to clash with the Kings in Sacramento. A victory for Phoenix would solidify their position in either the No. 7 or No. 6 seed.
Crucially, the Suns possess the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Pelicans. To secure the No. 6 seed, Phoenix must finish 2-0 while hoping for New Orleans to go 1-1, or the Suns could go 1-1 and the Pelicans 0-2.
In their final regular-season showdown, the Suns will face the Minnesota Timberwolves (55-25) on the road, while the Pelicans are scheduled to face the Warriors on the road tomorrow and host the Lakers on Sunday.
Should the Suns drop both remaining games, the door opens for a potential multi-team tie scenario, but any win by Phoenix ensures they stay ahead of the Kings, Lakers, and Warriors in the standings.
The recent victory of the Suns over the Los Angeles Clippers dashed the Golden State Warriors’ hopes of clinching a direct playoff berth, while Sacramento’s loss to New Orleans cemented their place in the play-in tournament.
As it stands, the Kings hold the No. 8 seed, with the Warriors rising to No. 9 after a victory against the Trail Blazers.
In the upcoming play-in games, the Kings are slated to face the Suns, whom they’ve split the season series with, while the Warriors are set for a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, with Golden State holding a season series advantage.
The outcome of these play-in games will determine the subsequent matchups, with potential showdowns against the Denver Nuggets and the defending champions looming for the advancing teams.
While uncertainties persist, fans of both the Warriors and the Kings have a clearer picture of the postseason landscape as the regular season draws to a close.
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