Grizzlies, Pelicans Eliminated; Warriors Secure Play-In Spot
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The Western Conference postseason field is set after two more clubs fell out of contention this week.
Memphis was knocked out Wednesday night when the Grizzlies dropped a 123–98 decision to the Spurs. The defeat guarantees that Taylor Jenkins’ team cannot climb into the top 10, while simultaneously locking Golden State into a play-in berth.
New Orleans exited the race Tuesday with a 121–116 loss to the Knicks, removing any remaining mathematical path to the postseason for the Pelicans.
Playoff and play-in field finalized
The West’s 10 playoff and play-in participants are now confirmed: the Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Rockets, Suns, Clippers, Trail Blazers and Warriors. Seeding, however, remains fluid heading into the final weeks.
Standings remain tight
Entering Wednesday’s slate—featuring the Nuggets, Rockets, Warriors, Clippers, Blazers and Lakers—only three games separated sixth-place Houston from No. 3 Los Angeles, and Golden State in 10th trailed eighth-place L.A. by just two games.
While San Antonio is firmly in second, the Spurs sit two games behind top-seeded Oklahoma City after the Thunder’s 12-game winning streak ended Wednesday.
Spurs clinch first-round home court
Head coach Mitch Johnson welcomed the opportunity to open the playoffs at Frost Bank Center. “I would expect it to be loud with a lot of excitement, enthusiasm,” he told reporters, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. “But it’s still a little bit away, so hopefully we can continue to get better and make some improvements in a lot of areas.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
