As the calendar turns to April, much is yet to be determined in the Western Conference standings.
The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder stand alone at the top of the conference, having already clinched the top seed in the West with weeks remaining in the regular season.
Outside of OKC, there could be plenty of movement before the postseason begins, starting with the second through fourth seeds, which are separated by just 2.5 games.
Of course, many eyes are currently on the race for the Play-In, with three teams fighting it out for the West’s two final postseason spots: the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns.
The Kings (36-39) continue to stumble towards the end of the regular season, having lost 10 of their past 13 games. While Sacramento has gone ice cold at an unideal time, they continue to hold a slim one-game lead over Phoenix for the 10th and final Play-In spot.
Here’s an updated look at the Western Conference standings with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season:
Western Conference Standings
For the Kings, it’s simple: Out-run at least one of the Suns and Mavs in the Western Conference standings, and you get to play at least one postseason game.
No team in the NBA will have a more challenging path to the postseason than Phoenix, who holds the most difficult remaining strength of schedule (.607) in the league with seven games remaining. The Suns will also be tasked with facing the bulk of their tough remaining schedule without superstar Kevin Durant (ankle), who will be sidelined for at least the next week.
Sacramento (15th) and Dallas (13th) have a few tough matchups they will have to weather down the final stretch, but it’s nothing compared to what the Suns will have to overcome.
Notable upcoming matchups
Phoenix: OKC, BOS, NYK, GSW, MIL
Sacramento: CLE, DEN, LAC, DET
Dallas: LAL, MEM, LAC (x2)
The Kings have one head-to-head matchup with Phoenix remaining–the final game of the regular season on April 13th.
We’ll see if that game matters down the line, but right now, these three teams need every win they can get their hands on if they want to avoid missing the postseason entirely.
Sacramento has its final two “easy” opponents ahead of them this week when they face the Washington Wizards (16-59) on Wednesday, followed by a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (19-56) on Friday afternoon.
It would be wise for the Beam Team to secure both wins before entering a tough back-to-back against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers and talented Detroit Pistons.
More on Kings content from Sactown Sports
Since being traded to the Sacramento Kings, Zach LaVine seems to have been trying to fit in with the rest of the roster.
Scoring 29 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, LaVine, and interim head coach Doug Christie, mentioned their pace of play as a potential benefit to their success this past weekend against one of the bottom-four teams in the Western Conference standings.
When talking with The Drive Guys, Reynolds discussed the organization’s decision to start Ellis in place of Monk and how that would impact the team.
Jerry Reynolds on Sacramento’s recent play, Christie’s future
Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings
Wednesday, April 2nd – @ Washington Wizards – 4:00 PM PT
Friday, April 4th – @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, April 6th – @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 3:00 PM PT
Monday, April 7th – @ Detroit Pistons– 4:00 PM PT
Wednesday, April 9th – vs. Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT
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