Overview
- Oklahoma City, which beat the Clippers on Wednesday, secured home court throughout the playoffs and confirmed San Antonio as the West’s No. 2 seed.
- Denver tightened its grip on the West’s No. 3 spot with a 10th straight win, creating more daylight over the injury-hit Lakers in the final week.
- Detroit already owns the East’s top seed, and Cade Cunningham returned Wednesday in a win over Milwaukee to build game fitness before the April 18 postseason start.
- The Lakers lost Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for the rest of the regular season and slid into a three-game skid, and coach JJ Redick said seeding is no longer the priority as he searches for a nine-man playoff rotation.
- Phoenix is locked into the play-in and, after beating Dallas on Wednesday, is positioned to host the 7–8 game, while Minnesota has clinched a playoff berth and is resting starters as players like Jaden McDaniels ramp back up and the Spurs manage Victor Wembanyama’s rib bruise.