Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and the Nuggets are set for two pivotal games this weekend.
This weekly update from NBA.com’s writers explores key topics in the league.
Which Storylines Are Capturing Your Attention During the Season’s Final Weekend?
Steve Aschburner
As a passionate fan of the Play-In Tournament, I find the final weekend of the season particularly engaging, even for matchups where teams’ positions are already secure. For instance, while Oklahoma City is at the top of the West, their approach to the upcoming game against Denver could still shape the Nuggets’ standings. The gamesmanship at this stage is heightened, unlike the more predictable nature of earlier weeks.
For example, the Friday matchup between Toronto and New York might hint at a possible playoff preview. Will the teams play aggressively to set the tone, or hold back for their best-of-seven series?
Additionally, the season’s conclusion reveals who emerges as statistical champions, based on both their final game performances and the 65-game criteria. (However, I believe a player’s overall contributions matter far more than a standout night in a less crucial game, as noted in previous analysis.)
Brian Martin
The battle for the last two guaranteed playoff spots in the East is heating up. Five teams—No. 5 Toronto, No. 6 Atlanta, No. 7 Orlando, No. 8 Philadelphia, and No. 9 Charlotte—are only two games apart, with each looking to secure their playoff positions. The outcomes this weekend could hinge on tiebreakers.
With the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year and MVP races nearing conclusion, are we set to witness any memorable performances this weekend? Will Cooper Flagg deliver another 50-point game, or will Kon Knueppel light it up from beyond the arc? Will Nikola Jokić showcase another triple-double to impress voters, or can we expect standout performances from other budding stars?
Shaun Powell
As the 82-game season draws to a close, several key questions remain. For starters, which team will fall to the No. 5 position in the competitive West and miss out on home-court advantage? This situation likely revolves around the Lakers and Rockets. Additionally, how will the Lakers adjust their strategy with injuries sidelining Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves? They need to quickly implement a new approach as they head into the playoffs.
John Schuhmann
The Play-In format offers an intriguing advantage for teams, as their standings can change dramatically over this weekend.
The Charlotte Hornets, notably, might be more formidable than their record suggests. Heading into their Friday game against the Pistons, they stand at 43-37 with a point differential that mirrors a team with a 54-26 record, boasting the highest average margin of victory in NBA history at 18.3 points.
Jeff Zillgitt
Just over a week ago, the Lakers were on a high, positioned for the No. 3 seed with home-court advantage. However, after losing two critical players to injury, they face three consecutive losses. With their top scorers out, how can the team regroup to secure either the No. 4 or No. 3 seed? Their final games are against the Suns—who have already secured the seventh seed—and the eliminated Jazz.
Meanwhile, the playoff spots 5-10 in the East are still up for grabs amongst Atlanta, Toronto, Orlando, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Miami. If the Hawks and Raptors win their upcoming games, they could clinch the fifth and sixth seeds, which is crucial compared to facing a stronger team in the Play-In Tournament.
