Warriors defeat by Lakers pushes Golden State toward play-in spot
SLUG: warriors-loss-to-lakers-play-in-looming
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The Golden State Warriors’ bid to lock up an automatic postseason berth suffered a setback on Sunday, March 1, 2026, when the team fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, moving the defending 2022 champions closer to an appearance in the NBA’s play-in tournament.
The loss dropped Golden State deeper in the Western Conference standings, putting the club in position to finish outside the top six slots that secure direct entry to the playoffs. If the standings hold, the Warriors would need to compete in the play-in round, where the seventh- through tenth-place teams battle for the conference’s final two playoff places.
The Lakers’ win also tightened the race for the West’s mid-table positions, increasing pressure on Golden State as the regular season enters its final weeks.
Source: New York Post
