LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have officially clinched home-court advantage for the first round of the NBA playoffs, locking the club into one of the Western Conference’s top four spots.
Friday’s results ensured that Los Angeles can finish no lower than fourth, guaranteeing that the postseason will open at Crypto.com Arena. The exact position, however, remains unsettled. The Lakers will conclude the regular season tied up in a tight race that could leave them either third or fourth when the final standings are set.
Seeding will be determined by the outcome of the Lakers’ regular-season finale and other games around the conference on the league’s final day of action. A jump to the No. 3 line would extend potential home-court benefits deeper into the bracket, while a slide to No. 4 would keep the opening round in Los Angeles but shift later-round advantages elsewhere.
The Lakers, led by All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have posted one of the conference’s best home records this year, adding weight to Friday’s milestone. With the playoff picture still fluid, head coach Darvin Ham said the club’s focus is on “finishing strong and entering the postseason in rhythm.”
Tip-off times for Sunday’s finale and potential first-round matchups will be announced after the league’s seeding scenarios are finalized.
Source: New York Post
